Here we come with the second part of our article about underrated cities you have to visit in Central Italy. This time we moved to the central part of our peninsula to make you discover other cities full of treasures, surely less known than other tourist pillars like Rome, Florence or Venice, but not for that less interesting and charming.
Perugia
We can start from Umbria to reach its capital, Perugia, another jewel with medieval origins and beauties. First of all, we have to visit the old town, with breathtaking glimpses and noteworthy architectural works. Then Palazzo Dei Priori, that represents one of the best examples of public palaces of the Italian Medieval Communes. And also Fontana Maggiore, the Duomo and why not, the factory of fine Perugina chocolate. If you can visit Perugia in July to enjoy the fantastic and worldwide known Umbria Jazz Festival.
Pescara
Now we want to show you around another beautiful city of the Central Italy, Pescara, the capital of Abruzzo. It boasts a strategic position on the coast, so here you will find beaches, sea, and facilities for a lively holiday vacation plus historical, cultural and architectural sights. On the Ponte del Mare, a symbol of the city, you could enjoy a relaxing stroll along 400 meters of rises and slopes and at the end a splendid view. For churches and art lovers, we suggest the antique Chiesa del Sacratissimo Cuore di Gesù and the majestic Cathedral of San Cetteo, in the heart of the old Castellamare.
Urbino
This time we take you to Urbino in the Marche region, to explore one of the most important centers of the Italian Renaissance, of which it preserves the architectural heritage. Its old town center indeed is enlisted in Unesco world heritage sites list. Here you will find amazing churches and oratories well melted with the territory and pre-existing medieval constructions. Remarkable are the Cathedral of Urbino and the Oratory of San Giovanni Battista with impressive 15th-century frescoes by Lorenzo Salimbeni. Worth a visit the Orto Botanico Pierina Scaramella and the University of Urbino, housed in various old and new buildings within the city center.
Ascoli Piceno
The last stage of our tour is Ascoli, the capital of the province of the Marche region. We have to start from a must-see, its central Renaissance square. Piazza del Popolo has been elected one of the 20 most beautiful squares of the world. Entirely covered using marble called travertine, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains, it boasts arcades and refined Renaissance palaces and amazes for its refinement. It is surrounded by a number of buildings and a few blocks away we’ll find the Piazza Arringo, the administrative and religious center of the town, surrounded by the Cathedral, the baptistery, the Bishop’s residence, and the Palace of the Commune. Legend has it that Ascoli Piceno once housed about 200 towers in the Middle Ages, while today we can count about fifty of them.
