The city was founded by the picenerne (warrior people) back in the 3rd century BC. Ascoli Piceno is an exceptionally bright and cosy city with many lovely places. Its main attraction is the Piazza del Popolo with its handsome portico and beautiful marble coverings, and its interesting historic buildings.
Also Piazza Arringo ('battlefield') offers a rare architectural attraction, for example. S. Emidio Church, Palazzo dell'Arringo and Palazzo dell'Episcopio. Besides the two main squares, there are many other attractions, including the archaeological museum, many Romanesque churches, medieval churches, heritage museum, etc.. There are a myriad of cafés and restaurants in the city, many with outdoor seating. Every Friday morning there is a market where you can buy everything from groceries to clothing, bags and shoes.
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The town is around 1 hour from the sea in a beautiful area characterized by green hills and mountains. On the hilltops around you will find many small, charming medieval towns, each with a historic centre. If you drive west into the country, you come to the part of the Apennines called Monti Sibbilini. There is a magnificent nature reserve of 70,000 hectares.
