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.

Ascoli Piceno’s dramatic cathedral is dedicated to Saint Emygdius. The architecture of the church dates back to many different periods as its structure has been worked upon several times over the centuries. Inside, visitors will find a beautiful altarpiece created by Carlo Crivelli, an artist who lived and worked in the town. The cathedral also features several other pieces of impressive art and architecture: among them Pietro Alemanno’s Madonna delle Grazie.