9 km (5½ mi) from the Borgo lies the city of Ascoli Piceno, called the “travertine city”, whose origins date back to the 6th – 7th centuries BC. Piazza Arringo with the Cathedral containing the splendid polyptych by Carlo Crivelli, the Pinacoteca, or picture gallery, where centuries of Piceno history and art is exhibited, Piazza del Popolo with the Church of Saint Francesco, the Capitani Palace and the old Meletti Café are all obligatory stops not to be missed. Bobbin lace, skilfully handmade using little wooden spindles on old designs, is the particular characteristic of Offida, which is 5km over the inland hills behind the Borgo. This village was a medieval centre, now perfectly conserved and surrounded by crenellated walls. Not to be missed are the Bobbin Lace Museum which is on the way to the splendid Church of Santa Maria della Rocca, donated to the Benedictine monks of Farfa Abbey. This is a magnificent Romanesque-Gothic temple, with 14th century frescoes, attributed to the maestro of Offida, fully in line with the tradition of Giotto’s painting.
The Piceno area, like the rest of the Marches, guards a very rich patrimony of historic theatres. All of them are perfectly restored and offer concerts, performances and operas as the ones of Ascoli Piceno, Offida and Fermo.