Easy hikes and walks in Ascoli Piceno

Imposing travertine spur immersed in the woods of Colle San Marco. It owes its name to its iconic shape, which resembles a gigantic index finger pointing to the sky. An ancient place of esoteric rites linked to the figure of Cecco d’Ascoli, today it is a famous rock climbing gym for bouldering and an unmissable panoramic viewpoint along the path leading to the Hermitage of San Marco.

Ancient 13th-century monastery built in travertine and embedded in the rock. It is located on Colle San Marco, a few kilometers from Ascoli Piceno, and is reachable via a stone staircase that acts as a bridge over a deep moat. Usually open on weekends and holidays during the spring and summer months. The path to get there is also suitable for families.

The small church of San Bartolomeo alle Piagge stands on a panoramic natural balcony overlooking Ascoli. Characterized by a simple single-nave travertine structure, it features a late-Gothic portal with the coat of arms of the noble Sgariglia family. Inside, precious 16th-century frescoes, rediscovered during the 1975 restoration, are preserved.

The Ponte di Cecco is a structure of Roman origin (1st century BC) that crosses the Castellano river. It owes its name to a legend according to which the poet Cecco d'Ascoli built it in a single night with the help of the devil, although historically it was restored in 1349 by Mastro Cecco Aprutino. The small house visible in the middle of the bridge was originally the "toll house": it served as a guard post to collect tolls and housed the hinges of the gate that closed the access to the city.

The Cathedral of Sant'Emidio, located in the monumental Piazza Arringo, is the main place of worship in Ascoli Piceno. The building is a fascinating historical palimpsest that blends remains of a Roman civil basilica with Romanesque structures and a Renaissance facade designed by Nicola Filotesio. The real treasure, however, is hidden in its underground: the Crypt of Sant'Emidio. Built in the 11th century, it is one of the largest in Italy and houses the remains of the Patron Saint within a precious 4th-century Roman sarcophagus. The environment, a suggestive 'forest' of about 60 travertine and marble columns, is enriched by a cycle of modern mosaics that narrate the Saint's protection of the city during World War II. Recent restorations have also brought to light rare medieval frescoes and portions of an ancient 14th-century cemetery.

Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli is often called the 'Living Room of Italy'. It is a Renaissance masterpiece characterized by its travertine paving, which gives it a unique elegance. Its rectangular shape is framed by a loggia of 59 arches and crenellated palazzi. The historic heart of the city, it hosts the Palazzo dei Capitani, the Church of San Francesco, and the historic Caffè Meletti. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy.

The Monument to Jonathan Seagull, located along the southern pier of San Benedetto del Tronto, is a work by sculptor Mario Lupo dedicated to the character created by Richard Bach. The sculpture depicts a seagull in flight with outstretched wings, a symbol of freedom, personal growth, and inner exploration. Its panoramic position overlooking the sea reinforces its meaning, creating an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation. The monument represents a message of hope and inspiration: it invites us to overcome our limitations, pursue our dreams, and "fly high" despite the difficulties.

A true open-air museum of modern art on the tourist pier of San Benedetto del Tronto