The best walks and hikes around Venarotta

The Arena waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Roccafluvione area. It presents itself to visitors with a drop of over 10 meters, between two steep rocky spurs. It is fed by the Fluvione stream, one of the main tributaries of the Tronto river.

Located in the heart of Ascoli Piceno, the Giardini dell'Episcopio are an ancient episcopal space recently reopened to the public. The area is now perfectly maintained, with neat paths and lush vegetation offering an oasis of tranquility in the historic center. In the center, we find a monumental circular basin fountain housing goldfish, often referred to simply as the putto (or bambino) fountain due to the travertine sculpture that tops it. At the far end of the gardens, there is also a small structure used for breeding doves.

The Cathedral of Sant'Emidio, located in the monumental Piazza Arringo, is the main place of worship in Ascoli Piceno. The building is a fascinating historical palimpsest that blends remains of a Roman civil basilica with Romanesque structures and a Renaissance facade designed by Nicola Filotesio. The real treasure, however, is hidden in its underground: the Crypt of Sant'Emidio. Built in the 11th century, it is one of the largest in Italy and houses the remains of the Patron Saint within a precious 4th-century Roman sarcophagus. The environment, a suggestive 'forest' of about 60 travertine and marble columns, is enriched by a cycle of modern mosaics that narrate the Saint's protection of the city during World War II. Recent restorations have also brought to light rare medieval frescoes and portions of an ancient 14th-century cemetery.

Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli is often called the 'Living Room of Italy'. It is a Renaissance masterpiece characterized by its travertine paving, which gives it a unique elegance. Its rectangular shape is framed by a loggia of 59 arches and crenellated palazzi. The historic heart of the city, it hosts the Palazzo dei Capitani, the Church of San Francesco, and the historic Caffè Meletti. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy.

In Piazza del Popolo stands the historic Caffè Meletti; the interiors retain the original Art Nouveau style, with period furnishings and decorations. The establishment is known for Anisetta Meletti, an anise liqueur produced for over a century.

Beautiful bridge, dating back to the Augustan era.

Beautiful Art Nouveau interior. In mid-September, we're the only guests inside, enjoying the ambiance, friendly service, and special ice cream flavors. The toilet, integrated into the vanity, offers glimpses of old foundations.

The building, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, shows three structures: an internal one from the Roman Augustan period, presumably a pagan temple dedicated to Hercules; an internal basin used as a baptismal font for immersion by the early Christians (400-500 AD), of which only the part of the hollow on the floor remains, and an external structure inspired by the canons of Romanesque architecture of the 10th-11th centuries. The external structure of the building is characterized by a lower square part (with two simple portals) and an octagonal upper part; the eight upper faces are adorned with three blind arches, except the face facing east, which has two groups of twin arches. A small lantern dominates the whole, while under the eastern facade you can see remains of Roman buildings. (c) https://letsmarche.it/-/battistero-di-s.-giovanni-2