Admire the impressive church and palace and consider the elegant proportions of the layout of this masterpiece of a medieval plaza.
Piazza del Popolo is a wide and spacious square with a well-tuned design in the center of Ascoli Piceno. The elegant colonnades of historic structures and a medieval crenellated tower flank the polished tiles of this central plaza. Watch people go by as you enjoy hot drinks at one of the café tables set up on the piazza.
Take photos of the majestic buildings of Renaissance design surrounding the square. Note that the plaza was reconstructed in the 16th century with elegance and harmony in mind. Stroll through the portico and enter the various shops and cafés.
On the western side of the square is the Palazzo dei Capitani, the former home of the so-called captains of a medieval group. Notice the large old-fashioned clock face on its façade and the wide arches that serve as portals to its arcade. A tower with a second clock rises from the building’s center.
Look to the north to see St. Francis Church, with its iconic green dome and pointed tower. Inspect the intricate features of its Romanesque frontage, such as the statue of Pope Julius II that stands above the church’s largest door. The interior of the church includes a spacious and opulent nave filled with religious works of art.
Enjoy the brooding atmosphere at night, when the colonnade and tops of the medieval buildings are illuminated. Get dessert from a traditional gelato shop and sit on a bench in the square.
The plaza, which is a popular gathering point for friends, hosts frequent cultural events. Attend the Quintana historical reenactment on various dates between mid-July and early August each year.
Find the Piazza del Popolo in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno. Ride a bus to a stop on the main road just one block east from the square. Go to some of the nearby landmarks, such as the Museo Archeologico Statale, the Piazza Arringo and the Palazzo dell’Arengo.
