Ascoli Piceno known as the city of 100 towers, is home to churches, squares and palaces. Stone, and more specifically travatine and marble are the dominating materials in the façades. The historic center was built by sculpting the travertine blocks of the nearby Piceno quarries. This makes the city scape extraordinarily harmonious and uniform, elegant and welcoming. The culmination of all this beauty is found in Piazza del Popolo, overlooked by the Church of San Francesco, the Palazzo dei Capitani, as well as medieval houses and arcades. Considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, Piazza del Popolo battles in the hearts of the people of the city with the nearby Piazza Arringo, where the other most important monuments of Ascoli are located, for top spot. Piazza Arringo is ringed with the Palazzo dell’Arringo, seat of the Civic Art Gallery, the Cathedral of Sant ‘ Emidio, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Episcopal Palace and the Diocesan Museum. But Ascoli Piceno also has other treasures to discover such as the Church of San Emidio alle Grotte sculpted inside a cave and the hamlet of Castel Trosino. Food is another local delight and the dishes that most represent the local cuisine are primarily the olive all’ascolana del Piceno and the fried custard all’ascolana. The best known alcoholic drink is anisette, a green anise-based liqueur which derives its name from the plant that is its main ingredient. The Ascoli area is also known for the production of Rosso Piceno Superiore, Falerio and cooked wine, obtained by cooking the concentrated mast. The most important events that take place in Ascoli Piceno during the year are the Carnival of Ascoli Piceno (February-March), Fritto Misto (different periods), the Antiques Market (every third Sunday of the month) and the Tournament Cavalleresco della Quintana (July-August).