Ascoli Piceno II

AP traces its settlement history to pre-Roman times, but Rome soon imposed itself after its own establishment. To the casual visitor none of pre-Roman and not much Roman is visible, except for remains of an amphitheatre as we came in, and some archeology below ground in a public building. The medieval and post-medieval old town is very attractive, and has little evidence of major tourist spoliation. 

It became part of the Papal States, the Franciscans had much the better of the F.v Benedictine rivalry with a huge monastery and church in the middle of town goading the bishop into an unnecessary cathedral enlargement of the cathedral lest the there be confusion about the site of the ecclesiastical power base.

This is the site of our second dinner- the old post office.

We were supposed to have independent lunch on day 2 after a tasting of olive oils and demonstration of how to make the signature meat stuffed olives. The host felt that the tasting would be improved by a few glasses of white wine and several courses of antipasti and pasta. After about two and half hours of hospitality there unfortunately was neither time nor room for lunch.

At 3pm we set out for a visit to the Pinoteca. There was a modest but impressive collection of works.