Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Services head to Rome (€23, four hours, six daily) and Citanova Marche (€2.25, one hour,
hourly). Timetables for local buses are available at the bus terminal.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
The SS77 connects the city with the A14 to the east and roads for Rome in the west. There
is paid parking (from 8am to 8pm) skirting the city walls and free parking at the Giardini
Diaz, where the buses arrive.
TRAIN
From the
train station
( 0733 24 03 54; Piazza XXV Aprile 8/10)
there are good connections to
Ancona (€4.70, 1¼ hours, hourly) and Rome (€15.40 to €32, four to five hours, eight
daily). To reach Ascoli Piceno (€6.30, 2¼ to three hours, 10 daily), change trains in San
Benedetto del Tronto and Civitanova Marche. Bus 6 links the station with the Piazza della
Libertà in the city centre.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ascoli Piceno
POP 49,900
With a continuous history dating from the Sabine tribe in the 9th century, Ascoli is like the
long-lost cousin of ancient Rome and a small
Marchigiani
village, heavy on the history
and food. Weary legs will appreciate its lack of hills and all travellers will enjoy its histor-
ical riches, excellent pinacoteca, one of Italy's unsung perfect piazzas and the veal-stuffed
fried olives treat
(olive all'ascolana)
.
Sights
Chiesa di San Francesco
(Piazza del Popolo; 7am-12.30pm & 3.30-8pm)
This beautiful church was started back in 1262
as homage to a visit from St Francis himself. In the left nave is a 15th-century wooden
cross that miraculously made it through a 1535 fire at the Palazzo dei Capitani, and has
since reputedly spilled blood twice. Virtually annexed to the church is
Loggia dei Mercanti
,
built in the 16th century by the powerful guild of wool merchants to hide their rough-and-
tumble artisan shops.
CHURCH
