Territories and villages

Territories and villages

The most beautiful villages to visit between Abruzzo and Marche

Choose Your Village

The most beautiful villages to visit between Abruzzo and Marche

Ascoli Piceno

A historical and charming town located at the foot of the Monti Gemelli. It is a place of great interest due to its several squares, churches, palaces, and remarkable artistic creations.

Ascoli Piceno is the perfect setting for ancient traditions, such as pottery making, and spectacular historical reenactments, like the famous “Quintana”.

Places of Interest

Piazza del Popolo

No matter which way you enter Piazza del Popolo, its breathtaking beauty is unmistakable. In the square you will find the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the Church of San Francesco, the Renaissance palaces, the arcades and loggias, and finally, the historic Caffè Meletti.

Saint Emidio’s Temples

There are several places in Ascoli dedicated to Saint Emidio. The most renowned is the Cathedral in Via Arringo. According to the legend, the Temple of Saint Emidio alle Grotte is located where the Saint carried his own head after being beheaded, and the Temple of Saint Emidio Rosso is where the Saint was executed.

Roman Bridge

The bridge connects Via Stelle and Porta Solestà. It stands as one of the most impressive examples of Roman architecture, having endured the passage of time. Built during the Augustan era, it is characterized by a single span of over 60 meters, a true rarity.

Caffè Meletti

A must-visit destination, an evidence of one of the most renowned entrepreneurial dynasties in the region, famous and recognized far beyond regional borders. Caffè Meletti is a part of Ascoli’s identity and tells its story in its own unique way.

Piazza del Popolo

No matter which way you enter Piazza del Popolo, its breathtaking beauty is unmistakable. In the square you will find the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the Church of San Francesco, the Renaissance palaces, the arcades and loggias, and finally, the historic Caffè Meletti.

Saint Emidio’s Temples

There are several places in Ascoli dedicated to Saint Emidio. The most renowned is the Cathedral in Via Arringo. According to the legend, the Temple of Saint Emidio alle Grotte is located where the Saint carried his own head after being beheaded, and the Temple of Saint Emidio Rosso is where the Saint was executed.

Roman Bridge

The bridge connects Via Stelle and Porta Solestà. It stands as one of the most impressive examples of Roman architecture, having endured the passage of time. Built during the Augustan era, it is characterized by a single span of over 60 meters, a true rarity.

Caffè Meletti

A must-visit destination, an evidence of one of the most renowned entrepreneurial dynasties in the region, famous and recognized far beyond regional borders. Caffè Meletti is a part of Ascoli’s identity and tells its story in its own unique way.

Campli

In 2021, Campli secured 6th place in the prestigious “Borgo dei Borghi” competition, in which the most beautiful towns from all over Italy participated. This says a lot about the charm of this little gem.

The Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) and the Archaeological Museum are just two of the many attractions worth visiting.

Places of Interest

Scala Santa (The Holy Stairs)

The Scala Santa of Campli was built between 1772 and 1776. It is a place deeply cherished by Christian believers, as one can receive forgiveness for their sins by climbing its 28 olive wood steps on their knees.

National Archaeological Museum
of Campli

It is located inside the ancient convent of San Francesco. The artifacts in the exhibition are primarily intended to illustrate the evolution of funeral rites among the ancient Piceni people. Part of the exhibition is also dedicated to daily life in the Bronze Age villages.

Necropolis of Campovalano

The necropolis covers an area of approximately 50 hectares between the streams of Misigliano and Fiumicino. In ancient times, this territory was crossed by the “sacred road” and was used as a site for funeral rituals. The findings includes remnants of burial mound belonging to two Italian populations, the Petruzi and the Piceni.

La Casa del Dottore (Doctor’s House)

A unique and fascinating building that is definitely worth including as a stop on a walk through Campli. Dating back to the 16th century, it overlooks the main street of the village. This Renaissance-style structure is enhanced by an internal courtyard with a double loggia and an upper loggia, featuring circular columns and leafy capitals.

Scala Santa (The Holy Stairs)

The Scala Santa of Campli was built between 1772 and 1776. It is a place deeply cherished by Christian believers, as one can receive forgiveness for their sins by climbing its 28 olive wood steps on their knees.

National Archaeological Museum of Campli

It is located inside the ancient convent of San Francesco. The artifacts in the exhibition are primarily intended to illustrate the evolution of funeral rites among the ancient Piceni people. Part of the exhibition is also dedicated to daily life in the Bronze Age villages.

Necropolis of Campovalano

The necropolis covers an area of approximately 50 hectares between the streams of Misigliano and Fiumicino. In ancient times, this territory was crossed by the “sacred road” and was used as a site for funeral rituals. The findings includes remnants of burial mound belonging to two Italian populations, the Petruzi and the Piceni.

La Casa del Dottore (Doctor’s House)

A unique and fascinating building that is definitely worth including as a stop on a walk through Campli. Dating back to the 16th century, it overlooks the main street of the village. This Renaissance-style structure is enhanced by an internal courtyard with a double loggia and an upper loggia, featuring circular columns and leafy capitals.

Civitella del Tronto

Civitella is a small aristocratic town, rich in art and history. It is located on a rocky travertine cliff and dominated by the Fortress, the last stronghold of the Bourbons before the Unification of Italy and a true point of attraction.

It is characterized by a vibrant cultural scene, making it the perfect setting for events of all kinds.

Places of Interest

The Fortress

In exploring the villages to visit between Abruzzo and Marche, a stop at the Bourbon Fortress is a must. This impressive feat of military engineering spans 25,000 square meters and it dominates the landscape. Today, it also hosts numerous events, constantly bringing it back to life.

The Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo

A Renaissance building that captivates the eye with its facade, featuring a double pair of pilastered columns, and which houses inside a gem of rare beauty and historical value: an organ dating back to the 18th century.

La Ruetta

The narrowest alley in Italy, measuring 43 cm in width. It shares a contested record with the municipality of Ripatransone, also located in the province of Ascoli.

The Historical Museum of Weapons
and Ancient Maps

It is located within the Fortress of Civitella and is a must-visit for history and antique weapon enthusiasts. It houses original maps that tell the story of the Fortress, as well as weapons from the Renaissance and the Italian Unification periods.

The Fortress

In exploring the villages to visit between Abruzzo and Marche, a stop at the Bourbon Fortress is a must. This impressive feat of military engineering spans 25,000 square meters and it dominates the landscape. Today, it also hosts numerous events, constantly bringing it back to life.

The Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo

A Renaissance building that captivates the eye with its facade, featuring a double pair of pilastered columns, and which houses inside a gem of rare beauty and historical value: an organ dating back to the 18th century.

La Ruetta

The narrowest alley in Italy, measuring 43 cm in width. It shares a contested record with the municipality of Ripatransone, also located in the province of Ascoli.

The Historical Museum of Weapons and Ancient Maps

It is located within the Fortress of Civitella and is a must-visit for history and antique weapon enthusiasts. It houses original maps that tell the story of the Fortress, as well as weapons from the Renaissance and the Italian Unification periods.

Folignano

Folignano is situated on a hill south of Ascoli Piceno, between San Marco Hill to the west and Maltignano to the east.

A medieval village with an ancient history, its name may come from the Latin “fuit lignum,” referring to the surrounding forests, or from “castrum fundanianum,” the current Folignano Castle, a medieval defensive outpost that is now an interesting tourist attraction along with the Picene necropolises.

Places of Interest

Folignano Castle

It is an ancient castle mentioned as “Castrum Fundanianum” in 996. It was one of the possessions of the Ascoli bishopric. Unfortunately, , only a few traces remain of what was once its former glory. The bell tower and the clock, dating back to the early 1900s, still offer a glimpse into its past.

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

It perfectly embodies the welcoming nature of religious architecture. Its small size offers a cozy and intimate setting for worshipers who is welcomed by a large crucifix accompanied by a statue dedicated to the Madonna and frescoes that adorn the side vaults.

Picene Necropolises

Discovered near Folignano and Piane di Morro, these burial sites provide evidence of the ancient history that shaped this region. Especially remarkable is the discovery of a bronze sword with a distinctive “antenna-shaped” hilt in the Piane di Morro necropolis.

Folignano Castle

It is an ancient castle mentioned as “Castrum Fundanianum” in 996. It was one of the possessions of the Ascoli bishopric. Unfortunately, , only a few traces remain of what was once its former glory. The bell tower and the clock, dating back to the early 1900s, still offer a glimpse into its past.

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

It perfectly embodies the welcoming nature of religious architecture. Its small size offers a cozy and intimate setting for worshipers who is welcomed by a large crucifix accompanied by a statue dedicated to the Madonna and frescoes that adorn the side vaults.

Picene Necropolises

Discovered near Folignano and Piane di Morro, these burial sites provide evidence of the ancient history that shaped this region. Especially remarkable is the discovery of a bronze sword with a distinctive “antenna-shaped” hilt in the Piane di Morro necropolis.

Valle Castellana

It is a treasure chest filled with breathtaking landscapes and untouched nature: ancient chestnut groves, flower-filled meadows, crystal-clear rivers and streams, all framed by stone villages and abandoned old mills. 

It is also worth mentioning are Manfrino Castle, a ruin with a mysterious charm, Bonifaci Castle, and the Church of San Nicola di Bari.

Places of Interest

Manfrino Castle

In Macchia da Sole, an old mule track now leads to Manfrino Castle, a captivating and enigmatic ruin. Originally a Roman fortress protecting the ‘salt route,’ it was later seized by the Lombardi.

Saint Giacomo

Saint Giacomo is the main ski resort in the Monti della Laga. It is one of the three mountain areas in the Province of Teramo equipped with ski lifts and Nordic skiing trails.

Vallequina

Vallequina, also known as Vallis Bina due to the bifurcation of the valley, the village is perched on a rocky ridge surrounded by steep valleys, perfect for defense.
It can be reached via a narrow road that runs along the highest part of the settlement. The only sounds you will hear in this charming square are the sounds of nature and the water from the fountain.

Manfrino Castle

In Macchia da Sole, an old mule track now leads to Manfrino Castle, a captivating and enigmatic ruin. Originally a Roman fortress protecting the ‘salt route,’ it was later seized by the Lombardi.

Saint Giacomo

Saint Giacomo is the main ski resort in the Monti della Laga. It is one of the three mountain areas in the Province of Teramo equipped with ski lifts and Nordic skiing trails.

Vallequina

Vallequina, also known as Vallis Bina due to the bifurcation of the valley, the village is perched on a rocky ridge surrounded by steep valleys, perfect for defense.
It can be reached via a narrow road that runs along the highest part of the settlement. The only sounds you will hear in this charming square are the sounds of nature and the water from the fountain.