Good Things From Italy - Le Cose Buone d'Italia

Fritto Misto sarà ancora una volta l’evento clou delle Marche nel più lungo ponte primaverile. I giorni che vanno dal 24 aprile al 3 maggio 2015 saranno scanditi, come accade da undici anni a questa parte, dalle migliori fritture italiane e straniere realizzate da un’eccezionale staff di cuochi nella grande cucina del Palafritto, ormai simbolo insostituibile dell’evento e luogo di culto di migliaia di appassionati di cibo. [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

If your plans for the weekend don’t include a jousting tournament, it probably means…you aren’t in Ascoli Piceno, Italy! The first Sunday of every August is celebrated with a medieval jousting tournament that brings tens of thousands of people to the small town on Italy’s eastern coast. The day is to honor Saint Emidio, the protector of Ascoli Piceno. [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

Il Circolo Cittadino di Ascoli Piceno nasce nel 1886, sulla spinta delle idee liberali e borghesi di fine secolo, in contrapposizione al “Casino di lettura” che raccoglieva l’èlite notabile e titolata della città.

Costituito da proprietari terrieri e da borghesi di orientamento progressista la sua fondazione non fu certo estranea alle vicende socio – economiche e politiche della città”. Oggi è l’unico Circolo di prestigio di Ascoli Piceno, sia per numero di soci che per la gamma di attività svolte.

Il primo regolamento interno della “società” è andato perso, si è però conservato uno Statuto del 1898 che in una trentina di articoli regolava ordinamento e attività.

All’art. 1 il Circolo veniva definito come luogo ideale per “conversare, leggere e trattenersi per altri civili ed onesti ricreamenti” ed è questo lo spirito che ancora oggi contraddistingue il club ascolano.

La prima sede del Circolo Cittadino fu palazzo Nebbia ma alcuni anni dopo il Circolo si trasferì a Palazzo Alvitreti, ora sede dell’Associazione industriali, sino agli anni settanta, poi definitivamente a Palazzo Sgariglia al civico 85 di Corso Mazzini in pieno centro storico.

L’attuale sede, comprende al piano terra due ampi locali, due cortili interni, un piccolo giardino ed il ristorante riservato ai soci del Circolo.

Al primo piano si trovano le sale di rappresentanza del Circolo.

Al secondo piano si sviluppano le sale propriamente dedicate alla frequenza quotidiana dei soci.

Un ampio locale adibito a salotto, dove è stato riportato alla luce un affresco stile liberty di fine ’800, accoglie i soci che hanno poi a disposizione le sale da gioco, la sala di lettura, la sala TV, il bar, la segreteria e la sala biliardo.

Una delle prime associazioni sportive a formarsi in seno al Circolo Cittadino fu l’Associazione Bridge che raccolse, sotto la guida di appassionati Presidenti, a partire dagli anni ’60, e successivi, molti giocatori.

Appuntamenti immancabili nella tradizione del Circolo sono rappresentati dai concerti musicali che, specie sotto il periodo natalizio, trovano il miglior spazio d’inserimento tra le attività culturali del Sodalizio.

Nelle sale del Circolo si sono sovente esibiti cantanti di fama internazionale.

Diverse e numerose le manifestazioni allestite dal Circolo cui fanno riferimento anche quasi tutte le associazioni culturali cittadine che trovano nelle sale del Sodalizio accoglienza ed ospitalità per le loro rappresentazioni.

I viaggi rappresentano uno degli avvenimenti più attesi tra le attività sociali svolte dal Circolo Cittadino.

In occasione del periodo di Pasqua è ormai consuetudine prepararsi per un viaggio, improntato ad una perfetta e minuziosa organizzazione, alla scoperta di paesi lontani, affascinanti e pieni di storia.

Dall’America all’Asia, dall’Africa all’Europa, il Circolo ha toccato quattro continenti ed i soci hanno ormai visitato quasi tutti i paesi del mondo.

Via Mariano Pallottini

Le Marche’s Carnivals are renowned for being spectacular, fun and full of tradition. One Carnival, celebrated on Fat Tuesday (as many are), starts with huge and colorful floats by the shore, and then moves inland for the real party. There is more food than you could imagine, and so many people in costume, just enjoying the frivolity of having a good time.

There is also the Offida Carnival, which consists of men moving a giant fake ox through the streets, then a crowd of young people in robes move it swiftly, in attempt to show the ox’s nature. This used to be performed with a live ox and then it was ritually slaughtered, whereas now they just do so symbolically.

The Fano Carnival, Italy’s oldest, is a huge and beautiful affair, with entertainment, food, exhibits and so much more. They try every year to make it better than the last, with more color and excitement to give people an experience not to be forgotten. It is one giant party, each day different and new with a lot of great things to do free of charge.

The carnival of Macerata has chariots, music, dancing, cake and a whole lot of fun. With all of its colorful displays and confetti everywhere, it truly is a wonderful celebration.

The Ascoli Carnival is a traditional festival of dancing, music, masks, confetti and fun. With so much to do and see it is another carnival worth attending. The Carnival of Ascoli Piceno, starting on January 17th each year, consists of people in masks, doing skits and impersonating celebrities, local government and other well-known people. The city is lit up with beautiful lights, as the streets become theaters and the spectators become participants.

Lastly, the Amandola Carnival is celebrated with two large events. First there is a parade with people in masks everywhere. Then there is what is called the beacon of King Carnival, during which people in old costumes throw wheat and poppy in honor of Blessed Antonio. There are also actors and theater afterwards during this one as well.

Via Mariano Pallottini

Study in the humanities and social sciences at the UNH-in-Italy campus in Ascoli-Piceno, Italy.

A beautiful medieval city in the province of the Marches, Ascoli Piceno is an unspoiled provincial capital, enjoying much of the cultural richness and vibrancy of larger cities, while preserving the charm and authenticity of a medieval city off the usual tourist itinerary.

It is a piece of the real Italy that few foreigners ever see, and provides participants with an authentic Italian experience, while still keeping them well connected to national and European transportation networks.

ascoli piceno

Spring 2014 semester

January 27 - April 26

Summer 2014
Painting in Italy
May 19 - June 20, 2014

Music and Language in Italy
May 20 - June 25, 2014

Explorations in Nutrition and Culture
June 22 - July 25, 2014

EcoGastronomy Program
June 22 - August 2, 2014

Intensive Italian
June 22 - July 25, 2014

 

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Via Mariano Pallottini

Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of Ascoli Piceno. “What? Is that some kind of fish?” Well, no, it’s a beautiful city in the Marche. I had heard the name only as a type of Italian wine. Like all cities of any size it has a title; in this case “city of art”. Probably a bunch of cities have that some self designation. It’s major points of interest in the historic center seems to have been built 500-600 years ago although of course the city is much older. The sense of history is ever present in Italy. People live in houses older than our country. Daily life is lived in an environment of great beauty. Of course when living here it must just seem like background. One doesn’t wander around like an awestruck tourist all the time going about one’s daily life. [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

[...] Italy has 2 types of people, according to me. One that works with his hands, and the other that works with his head.
On our way to Ascoli Piceno, in Le Marche, our first stop was at Zia Paolina and Zio Alfredo’s home. After many hugs and kisses, Paolina showed us around. What I saw left me speechless. They are self-sufficient, there is no need to leave the property.
High on the hill, behind their casa, are the gardens.
Everything on the property is for consumption, especially the furry and feathered.
We headed outside and around the corner to another small room. Here is where Paolina and Alfredo make, and store, il vino (the wine).
Also housed in the cellar are Paolina’s bottled tomatos and wheels of cheese.
Amazing ? I’d say. The Italians that work with their hands are the heart and soul of what makes the country of Italy so inviting, to me. [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

Stretching for around 100 miles along the Adriatic coast, with hilltowns to rival those of Tuscany and Umbria, Le Marche is a gorgeous and affordable region to explore, writes Donald Strachan

Via Mariano Pallottini

[...] Marche a region often overlooked by tourists and Italians alike– is in the middle of Italy, bound by the Adriatic sea and the Sibillini mountains. Apart from its photographic vantage points, it is more importantly, the home region of ciauscolo. More specifically, the sausage is produced in the provinces of Macerata, Fermo and Ascoli Piceno– which have subsequently held PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status since 2009.
Made from cuts of pork shoulder and belly, lonza (pork sirloin), prosciutto, and some extra fat, ciauscolo is seasoned simply with black pepper, salt, garlic, and sometimes vincotto (a sweet cooked wine). The finely minced mix is then cased, and left to dry for one day. The sausages are then cold-smoked over juniper branches for another two days, and finally left to age for two weeks
With such a brief age time, the result is a softer, spreadable sausage that is habitually had over bread. A lightly seasoned and slightly smoked, almost-raw spread, its texture is more akin to a paté–thus making ciauscolo distinct from the well-known, dryer salumis synonymous with Italian fare. However, for those who aren’t so keen on gnawing raw, you can also get ciauscolo that has been seasoned for a few weeks longer, and find yourself the more familiar, dryer, sausage texture. Both are worthy additions to your charc’t board; but the former, more so.
I would suggest a wine, but, why not follow the juniper theme and bring out a decent gin? It’s 2013! Let’s get modern!

Via Mariano Pallottini

The historic house "Palazzo dei Mercanti" is located in the old town centre of Ascoli Piceno, within a short walking distance from Piazza del Popolo, the popular meeting place of the Ascolani since medieval times. The building faces onto Corso Trento e Trieste, an important street of the old town centre which crosses corso G. Mazzini, the old "decuman".
The entire rear face of "Palazzo dei Mercanti" gives onto "Rua A. Vipera", which according to oral history, used to be a main street centuries ago. It is dedicated to the noble architect from Ascoli, Antonio Vipera, who drew the first plans for the church of San Francesco. The imposing size of the dome and the elegance of the bell tower of San Francesco overlook the "Palazzo dei Mercanti".

Hotel Palazzo dei Mercanti Ranked #1 of 539 hotels in Marche by Tripadvisor.com

 

“Exellent experience!”

 

Reviewed 22 October 2012

 

The Hotel Palazzo dei Mercanti is perfectly located in the heart of Ascoli Piceno. The room was quite e clean and the hotel staff was the kindest I have ever met! Breakfast was very good! Hope to return again...

Via Mariano Pallottini

Those visiting the Marche region of Italy will be delighted with a stop in Ascoli Piceno, a town that can trace its origins back to the days before Rome and is a great source of ancient and medieval architecture. Surrounded by two national parks, this town of 54,000 is located where the Castellano Creek and River Tronto meet.

Sightseeing in Ascoli Piceno

• The cathedral
• Saint francis church
• Convent of saint augustinus
• Church of saint peter martyr
• Franciscan convent
• Palazzo dei capitani del popolo
• Caffè meletti

[...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

In 2000 has been made the census of votive aedicule and sacred lunettes painted above churches’ portals or near the access doors of Ascoli Piceno historic centre’s residences.
There have been catalogued 29 subjects which all together represent styles, schools and different periods; they form an “unicum” of both historical and cultural importance.[...]

This is a list ifidentified frescoes:

1) Via Carlo Grifi (sulla piazzetta)

2) Corso di Sotto, n. 69

3) Largo della Fortuna (Chiesa romanica di San Giacomo)

4) Via Francesco Tamburini, n. 21 – (Piazza San Pietro Martire)

5) Angolo Via Costanzo Mazzoni, Via Adriano Cinelli

6) Via Adriano Riganté, (Ponte romano Augusteo)

7) Corso di Sotto – Angolo Via Tullio Lazzari

8) Via Luigi Mercantini, n. 3

9) Rua di Ponte Oscuro

10) Via del Trivio – (Chiesa di San Francesco -facciata principale)

11) Piazza del Popolo – (Chiesa di San Francesco)

12) Via Pretoriana, n. 29

13) Via Palestro – (angolo Via Vittorio Emanuele)

14) Piazza Arringo, n. 41

15) Via della Piazzarola, n. 15

16) Via Manilia, n. 39

17) Angolo Rua dei Sanniti – (Piazzarola)

18) Via delle Canterine, n. 48

19) Via Quinto Curzio Rufo, n. 29

20) Largo delle Concezioniste – Rua Antonio Marcucci (sotto il passetto)

21) Via dell’Armellino

22) Via di Vesta, n. 35

23) Via degli Sforza, n. 6

24) Via delle Torri, n. 17

25) Chiesa dell’Annunziata

26) Porta Tufilla

27) Fortezza Pia

28) Chiesa di Sant’Angelo Magno

29) Via del Passo, n. 1

Via Mariano Pallottini

Produced by: Paoletti
Alcohol content: 4.7% by vol.
Color: Blonde
Type of fermentation: Low
Serving temperature: 8° C
Family beer: Lager
Beer style: European Pale Lager
Style: Bohemian Pilsner

Via Mariano Pallottini

On December 19 I leave for Europe to spend Christmas with my family in Italy. This will be the first time since 2006 that I have spent Christmas with them. To say I’m antsy would be an understatement. All I can think of is being with them, hearing the lyrical fall of the Italian language, feeling their embrace.

I can’t wait to wander through the piazza in Ascoli Piceno. Wrapped in an overcoat with a scarf, gloves and a cap, I will once again traverse the travertine piazza built nearly 3000 years ago. I will smile at the beauty of a few simple strands of Christmas lights strung across the square while Christmas carols play over the loudspeaker. I will once again visit my favorite cafe for pastries and a delectable espresso. I will savor and savor again.

Christmas will be magical.[...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

She made her debut in 1919 at the Teatro La Fenice of Venice as Giorgetta in ‘’Tabarro’’. The next year she sang at the Teatro Comunale in Cesena as Francesca in F.  Zandonai’s ‘’Francesca da Rimini’’, which counted as one of her star roles. In 1924 she  undertook a very successful Australia tour. She sang the role of Francesca in 1927 at the Teatro Carlo Felice inGenoa as a partner of Giulio Crimi and Carmelo Maugeri. In 1927 at Switzerland she appeared as a member of Max Sauter's opera troupe.  She retired from the stage during the early 1930’s. Chronology of some appearances 1920 Cesena Teatro Comunale Francesca da Rimini (Francesca)1922  Trieste   Teatro Verdi   Jacquerie di G.Marinuzzi1924 Melbourne  His Majestic Tosca (Tosca)1926 Alessandria d'Egitto Teatro Mohamed Alì Tosca (Tosca)1929  Bari Teatro Petruzzelli Tosca (Tosca)1931 Barcellona Teatro Liceo Andrea Chenier (Maddalena)1932 Roma Teatro Dell'Opera Tosca (Tosca)

Via Mariano Pallottini

Sculptor Lazzaro Morelli was born on this day in 1608 in Ascoli Piceno. After training with his father in Florence, Lazzaro moved to Rome to join the studio of sculptor Francois Duquesnoy. He later became assistant to Gianlorenzo Bernini, working for him until Bernini’s death in 1680. Bernini entrusted a number of important projects to Morelli, including the Chair of St. Peter, the majority of the travertine statues carved for Piazza San Pietro,  the statue of Truth and the shroud on the tomb of Alexander VII, and the angel holding a scourge on the Ponte Sant’Angelo.  [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

I was in Italy recently [...] This last time, I visited a city in Le Marche called Ascoli Piceno for the first time. It’s an off-the-tourist-track kind of a place by and large, but it has a lovely city center, all made of travertine, and some very lovely churches, and a history of pottery making. All good stuff. But perhaps best of all, it’s where the Meletti company is, a company known for making delicious imbibables. [...] What I didn’t know, though, until getting to Ascoli Piceno, was how amazing the Meletti Café is.
It sits right on the corner (in the below shot, back right) of the city center I mentioned, which is known as the Piazza del Popolo, and which is one of the prettiest piazza’s I’ve been in [...]
I ordered a Meletti Anisette, which is the most well-known of the Meletti offerings, and which is the finest anisette available anywhere. It has a layered anise flavor and an underlying sweetness that tastes pure and natural; it’s a liqueur that’s meant to be savored and not shot back, and one that mixes like a champion dancer into cocktails – but which has to be had solo (or with three very small additions) to be completely understood.[...]

Via Mariano Pallottini, Just Le Marche

From Ascoli, head up towards Colle San Marco to the south. You will pass a nice osteria called C'era una volta and later reach the little town of Piagge. Just before exiting the town, you will see a little brown sign on your right with a sharp right turn to get up to the little church of San Bartolomeo where you can park and read the sign above in either italian or english before taking the trail to the left of the church up to the cemetery. You can save a couple of hundred meters climbing if you park instead at the cemetery. Either way, the trail starts to the right of the enclosed cemetery and not to the left which also has a well marked road but is posted as private property. The climb is easy and takes 15 minutes or a bit more and is well marked. 

Head left and in just a few minutes you will arrive at the beautiful arched stairway which leads into the little monastery.
This was built 8 hundred years ago, which makes it all the more impressive. Obviously subsequent works have been done to make the whole thing safer so we can still visit today.
View of the bell tower and the facade which the old Benedictine monks built to close in the grotto and another with the imposing cliffs above and below

Via Mariano Pallottini

Our journey through Marche begins from the Piceno area near the coastal area of

San Benedetto del Tronto, a beautiful town proudly flaunting its wonderful promenade shaded by palm trees. Leaving behind the sea of and moving up the hills we arrive in the town of ...Aquaviva Picena huddled around its medieval fortress which was once the stronghold of the Dukes of Aquaviva. This is where the pagliarolle are still handmade.  We dine and we begin with fricantò a type of vegetable based ragù cooked for a very long time.  Another typical Aquaviva Picena is the ncip-nciap, rabbit, chopped, stewed and pan fried with oil, olives, garlic, rosemary and S & P.  From Aquaviva Picena, we move on to Ascoli Piceno, home to one of the most beautiful Italian squares; Piazza del Poppolo, surrounded by the harmonious colonnade of different style arches.  If you happen to be around on the first Sunday of August, you should not miss the Quintana parade, a magnificent nightly parade that takes place in Piazza del Popollo.  Time to sit down at the table.  As a first course, maccheroncini del Campofilone cooked with a chicken giblet sauce.  Ascoli Piceno is the perfect place to enjoy the original Olive all’Ascolana, olives stuffed with a mixture of meats, eggs, cheese and nutmeg.  For dessert cicerchiata, balls coated with honey and caramelized sugar, prepared with dried fruits.  To take in a breathtaking view of this wonderful town, just take a stroll in the Parco della Rimembranza. We now head for Fermo, renowned for it footwear and hat manufacturing. And from here we travel to Macerata with its Piazza Della Libertà which seems to be the local inhabitant’s living room.  In Macerata we try 2 local cold meats:  The ciauscolo, a soft pâté salami, and the mazzafegato, a type of ciauscolo combined with pigs liver. Now we move to Ancona and its port.  With the sea behind us, we are in Piazza della Republica.  A short walk uphill and we reach Pizza del Plebiscito, we pay homage to a symbol of the Marche cuisine: the vincisgrassi, very rich and tasty pasta accompanied by a delicious Verdicchio de Castelli di Jeseiwine.  And now for the brodetto al anconatana, the traditional Ancona fish soup.  The brodetto all’anconetana has a very dense consistency and is served with lightly toasted bread.  After a pleasant walk we get to the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, on the Guasco hill.  Leaving Ancona we travel to Arcevia, where the romantic Leopardi Garden is an absolute must.  Returning towards the Adriatic Coast we reach Pesaro.  Pesaro is called the city of the four M s: Mare, Monti, Musiche and Maioliche.  (sea, mountains, music and ceramics) and it is also the native town of Giocchini Rossini.  Its seafront promenade is favored by the locals, and it is from this very promenade we leave Pesaro forUrbino, a prime example of a Renaissance city declared UNESCO world heritage site. To communicate the overwhelming emotions felt on arriving in Urbino, we use the words of someone with a deep rooted love for this town: Carlo Bo, who was the rector of Urbino Universtiy, named after him, for 54 years.  He said ” Anyone who arrives in Urbino unaware of its history and it importance is met with total astonishment, or rather, a miracle.  Set in the hilly landscape that support the city’s access roads is a fairy-like mansion totally unscathed by the passing of time”.  The mansion Carlo Bo refers to its Palazzao Ducale, a Renaissance masterpeice, with its Torricini and it Cortile D’Onore.  The Marche Nattional Gallery is located here.  The historic center of Urbino is entirely constructed in brick and is surrounded by defense walls. Intense hunger is calling for a break.  We decide to pay tribute to the Urbino DOP Casciotto, made from a mixture of sheep and cow milk.  

Our journey through the Marche has come to an end!

Via Mariano Pallottini

Located between the Monti Sibillini and the Adriatic, ASCOLI PICENO is Le Marche’s greatest hidden gem and lies well off the tourist trail. This seems odd considering it has plenty of grand architecture and a lovely café-lined central square that’s among the most pleasant in the region. At Mardi Gras it hosts Le Marche’s most flamboyant carnival and in August its streets are given over to the Quintana, a medieval festival that incorporates a spectacular joust. If that wasn’t enough, Ascoli’s restaurants and food stalls are the proud purveyors of olive all’ascolana (deep-fried breadcrumb-crusted olives stuffed with veal), the closest Italy comes to the Scotch egg, but much tastier.

Ascoli has a compact centre, surrounded by largely intact walls. Piazza del Popolo is the place to get the feel of the town, while its small number of Roman remains and its churches and museums are scattered throughout the old centre.

Via Mariano Pallottini