August is full of food and folklore festival opportunities throughout Italy. In Le Marche region of Italy, Ascoli Piceno is home to two festivals highlighted in today’s blog: Quintana di Ascoli Piceno and Ascoliva. Ascoli Piceno is surrounded on three sides by mountains and sits on a landscape where two rivers meet at the southernmost part of the region. The town’s historical center is built of travertine marble from the nearby mountains.
QUINTANA di ASCOLI PICENO – Medieval Tournament & Fun – August 7, 2016
The Quintana di Ascoli Piceno includes two Quintanas (tournaments) taking place on the 9th of July and concluding tomorrow on August 7th with various other medieval-related events in between. Tomorrow’s final event is preceded by the Saint Emidio historical parade beginning at 2:30 PM with over 1,500 costumed participants from the town’s six districts. The Quintana follows at 3:30 PM when the districts will compete for the coveted palio (victory banner). A knight from each district tries to hit and destroy an effigy of an enemy warrior using a jousting lance.
ASCOLIVA – Stuffed Ascolana Olives Festival – August 10-21, 2016
Ascoli Piceno is the self-proclaimed “world capital of olives.” Over twelve days of tastings and workshops in and around Piazza Arringo you can satisfy your olive cravings and sample 16 other dishes typical of Ascoli Piceno and the region. Olive all’Ascolana are the highlight of this food festival; they are stuffed, large olives that are breaded and deep fried.
#destinazionemarche #QuintanaDiAscoli2016
MORE INFORMATION
Ascoliva – Stuffed Olives Festival
Quintana di Ascoli Piceno – Jousting/Medieval Festival
MAP: Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche, Italy
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ABOUT
Lisa M. Vogele is the author of Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a travel reference guide that “helps you go local” by incorporating festivals into your travel planning. You can find out more information at Lisa’s Travel Guides.
PHOTO CREDITS
Piazza del Popolo, Ascoli Piceno modbob via Foter.com / CC BY-ND
Mountains over Ascoli Piceno Giorgio Tomassetti via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Flagthrowers in Piazza Arringo, Ascoli Piceno Pietro Valocchi via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Fresh Ascolana Olives Toprural via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Curing Ascolana Olives eekim via Foter.com / CC BY
Olive all’Ascolana Roxelo Babenco via Foter.com / CC BY-ND
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