Noble Family Tower (Ascoli Piceno)

History of the Noble Family Tower (Torre gentilizia)

The dating to the 13th century rests on an analysis of the form and the few stylistic features, and the building is attributed to the local Romanesque tradition. Like the other noble towers of Ascoli, it belonged to an era when these buildings were the tangible expression of family power and, at the same time, true military structures.

The portal and the first-floor window are a later addition, probably from the 17th century.

What to see at the Noble Family Tower

The interest of the tower lies in its medieval structure, which preserves few stylistic features. The portal and the first-floor window stand out, probably added in the 17th century: they mark the transition from the original building to a different use in later centuries.

To understand what the city must have looked like in the Middle Ages, it helps to compare this tower with other examples in Ascoli. A door with a triangular pediment, a recurring feature of the city's noble towers, can also be seen on the Baptistery of San Giovanni (Ascoli Piceno).

How to visit the Noble Family Tower

The tower is privately owned. It should therefore not be assumed that the interior is accessible. The towers of Ascoli are best appreciated on a walk through the historic center: along the streets there are remains of towers and details such as mullioned windows and reused stones, which help picture the medieval city.

Where the Noble Family Tower is

The tower is in Ascoli Piceno, a provincial capital in southern Marche. The town lies at an altitude of 154 m, where the Tronto river meets the Castellano stream, and is 28 km from the Adriatic Sea. The historic center is built almost entirely of travertine.

Around the Noble Family Tower in Ascoli Piceno

To plan a visit to the city, the list of sights not to miss is on the page about things to do in Ascoli Piceno. An example of towers linked to worship is the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio (Ascoli Piceno): its facade, from the first half of the 16th century and designed by Cola dell'Amatrice, is flanked by two Romanesque travertine bell towers.