Villa Picena

Crafts are Important to the area of Ascoli

by deecat

Craftsmanship is traditional in and around Ascoli Piceno.

Able stone cutters from Ascoli and Acquasanta Terme use travertine for decorative applications. The Majolica tiles are made in these areas. It is the processing of majolica ceramics that is done here. The making of stringed instruments are made by a few of the skilled craftsmen also.

Lace Making on a lace pillows is practiced in Offida, Tronto, and Castignano. This pillow lace or spindle lace is made using hemp or linen or cotton yarn. The wok is cone almost entirely by women. Some of these laces have alleries of mythology!

The little town called Force is known as the "town of coppersmiths". Force is a small mountain village in the Sibillini territory. But copper is also worked with in Ascoli. I learned that Ascoli Piceno was "known in the Middle Ages for its metalwork: arms, armous, helmets, etc. Forged iron is another craft of this area, but practiced by only a few smiths. It was so good to know that craftmanship still survives in and around Ascoli Piceno!

The Pontes

by iandsmith

If you have a town and rivers, you inevitably have bridges. The Ponte di Cecco is a reminder of the town's Roman origins, along with the Augustan bridge, the caves of Annunziata, ex-temples of S. Gregorio Magno and S. Venanzio and the ruins of the Consolar Salarian Road.
There are also Roman artifacts in the Archeological Museum, located in Piazza Arringo.
The most splendid Roman artifact of all though, a magnificent aquaduct, was tragically and meaninglessly destroyed by the Germans as they withdrew during the Second World War. Need I add, yet another senseless act of war.

Cathedral Di S. Emidio

by deecat

In Piazza Arringo, one cannot miss seeing (at least from the outside) the lovely Cattedrale Di S. Emidio (the Cathedral of S. Emidio). This Cathedral was named after Emidio who was a native of Trier, Germany. He was the first Bishop of Ascoli. In 303 AD, he was martyed. St Emidio is the Patron Saint of Ascoli Piceno; his feast day is August 5th. Throughout Italy, St. Emidio is known as "protector against earthquakes.

The most interesting part of the Cathedral is the Crypt.

This present-day Cathedral stands on the site of a Roman public building which was completely rebuilt. It had a single nave in the shape of a Latin cross about the 2nd half of the 11th century and early 12th century. The base of the two front towers still exist from those centuries as do the dome and the crypt. But, in about 1482, this Cathedral underwent tranformations when two lateral naves, a central apse were built. Later the facade was advanced and incorporated the two ancient towers.

The power of this church is enhanced because it is the seat of the Diocese. There is also a Diocesan Museum.

Most memorable of the Cathedral is some artwork by Carlo Crivelli. Crivelli originally came from the Veneto area, but he spent the second part of his life in Ascoli. Here, he painted the wonderful "Annunciation for the church of the Annunziata (which is on display in London at the National Gallery) Fortunately, his masterpiece is the polyptych in the Cathedral.
Open: 7-12 and 3:30-6:30

Photos:

One: Facade of Cattedrale Di S. Emidio

Two: Crivelli's masterpiece in the Cathedral

Three: Elaborate detail of Cathedral

Four: Part of Crypt of Cathedral

Five: Windows of Cathedral

Undiscovered Little Jewel

by buzzz

"Ascoli Piceno"

What a great little town. We stayed here for two nights on our trip to Le Marche region. Quite sleepy in the daytime but after eight o'clock the locals come out for the Passeggiare.

"Passeggiare"

The people came out to stroll in their nice clothes, walking their dogs, pushing kids in buggy's, riding their bikes. They chat, drink coffee and generally socialize until after midnight. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

"Ascoli"

This Marche area has a lot to offer at half of the price of Tuscany. The hill towns, scenery, adriatic coast resorts are gorgeous and restaurants and shops are much cheaper. People are very friendly and Ascoli is a good base to explore it all.