The best city hikes and walks in Ascoli Piceno

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

One of the city's most evocative spots; here the sea is scented with art, history, and tradition.

A beautiful walk along the San Benedetto del Tronto seafront, where you can reach the south pier and walk for a kilometer with the sea surrounding you.

The fish market of San Benedetto del Tronto is one of the largest in Italy. Even today, every morning, generally at 4 am, the fresh fish, just arrived from the fishing boats that work at night, becomes the protagonist of a real downward auction that determines its prices. A real parade of fish. While the boxes full of fish parade before the eyes of the participants in the auction, on a large screen the price of the box begins to drop and the first person to block the price using a remote control, wins the box.

The Albula River rises near Colle Guardia, a hamlet in the municipality of Ripatransone, and flows into the Adriatic Sea at San Benedetto del Tronto.

The Museum of Art on the Sea (MAM), located on the beautiful south pier of the city, is a permanent open-air exhibit of contemporary works of art, with an impressive display of 135 sculptures and 10 wall paintings. The artworks, signed by more than 130 different artists coming from every corner of the country and from all over the world, were created during the past editions of the “Scultura Viva” (Living Sculpture) International Sculpture and Painting Symposium, held in San Benedetto since 1997. Works by Mario Lupo, Marcello Sgattoni, Genti Tavanxhiu and Giuseppe Straccia are also exhibited on the pier. Commissioned by “Circolo dei Sambenedettesi”, a local association for the conservation of the city’s cultural heritage, and completed in year 1986, a monument by Mario Lupo proudly stands as the biggest piece in the exhibition: an eight metres high bronze sculpture dedicated to Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Visiting the Museum of Art on the Sea is a really unique experience, not only because of its exhibit, but also thanks to its beautiful setting: a graceful promenade stretching out into the open sea, for a length of over one kilometre. The first half of the walk is dedicated to sculpture, showcasing bas-reliefs, high reliefs and sculptures in the round, created by the artists who took part in the “Scultura Viva” International Symposium and carved on the travertine stone blocks acting as a breakwater on one side of the pier. On the opposite side, one single and bizarre artwork can be found, the creation of local artist Marcello Sgattoni: a fountain made of concrete and river pebbles representing a girl from whose breasts drinking water flows, a celebration of water as the source of all life. The second half of the walk is dedicated to street art painting. On the huge concrete blocks fringing the final stretch of the pier, 10 wonderful murals were painted by renowned artists from all over the world. The Museum of Art on the Sea is always open and free to visit at any time. (c) https://www.comunesbt.it/museodelmare/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/25241MDM0316/L/1

The monument was erected in the 1990s by Mario Lupo. It depicts a seagull named Jonathan, the hero of Richard Bach's book "The Seagull". It is a story about living on your own terms and following your heart.