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The route opens onto Piazza Arringo, dominated by the façade of the Cathedral of St Emidius, whose crypt houses the saint's remains.
Leaving the old town of Ascoli Piceno, you come to the Roman bridge that crosses the Tronto. Also made of travertine stone, the bridge dates from the Augustan period. The structure consists of a single span made with a majestic round arch, of extraordinary dimensions for the time it was built. The bridge can also be visited inside, through an inspection corridor. It is considered one of the most representative bridges of Roman technique and civilisation, with the original construction features having been fully preserved.
A little further on, past the arch of Porta Cappuccina, there is a washhouse, framed by a loggia with five arches, the source of which is attributed to St Emidius. It is said that, not having the water necessary to baptise all the new believers converted to Christianity by his preaching, he solved the problem by striking a stone, from which the water gushed forth.
Passing through the new town, on the less-developed side, you go in just a few minutes from the old town into the countryside, leaving behind the white city with its monumental walls and towers. White because Ascoli Piceno has always been decorated and built from travertine - a limestone rock that looks similar to marble. The city of the bishop and patron saint St Emidius.
Legends and history are linked to the remains of successive civilisations, such as the Picene walls that stand alongside the Roman and medieval ones. A few hills separate you from a new encounter, with the Chiaro river. Continuing on, you pass through clearings and woods and reach the Chiaro river, where you must cross the ford before continuing along the mule track beyond the riverbed.
Heading on, the path takes you past clusters of houses until we reach the hamlet of Tirabotte. Here is the home of Piero and Silvia, pilgrims and hospitallers, where, after giving advance notice by phone (328-94.49.611), you can obtain refreshment and a stamp for your pilgrim's passport.
Gullies are another typical feature of the landscape encountered on the Way as you follow the bed of the Chiaro river, moving away from Ascoli Piceno. This geomorphological phenomenon is due to soil erosion, caused by the effect of water runoff. You can find gullified hills across the whole of the Piceno area: the nearby areas of Castignano and Appignano del Tronto are prime examples. This is a pale-ochre, lunar landscape with sheer cliffs and sharp cones bare of trees or grass, carved out by the waters.
Continuing towards Venarotta, the distinctive stepped profile of Monte Ascensione (1,110 m above sea level) becomes increasingly clear, rising up in the sub-Apennine belt of the Piceno area. Over the centuries, both the name and profile of this solitary mountain have evoked myths, aroused emotions and told legends and traditions.
Finally, you return to the course of the Chiaro river, which you cross using the stones just below the waterline. In winter, the water flow can be high - you will either have to cross the river barefoot, or, preferably wearing waterproof shoes. After crossing the ford, an uphill path takes you to Venarotta, the endpoint of this stage.
