Historical Background: Ancarano was founded around a temple dedicated to the goddess Ancaria. Given as a gift by Charles the Magnus to the Bishop of Ascoli Picenum, the town was conquered and destroyed by the Spanish of the Duke d’Alba in 1557. Rebuilt in the following years, from 1808 to 1812 it belonged to the Kingdom of Napoleon. In 1812 it was introduced in the Pope’s reign and in 1848 was part of the Repubblica Romana. In 1852 was annexed to the Kingdom of the two Sicilies and on 21st October 1860 joined the new Kingdom of Italy thanks to the plebiscite.Of the ancient fortified village (11th century a.d.) in a dominating position over the Tronto valley, it preserves two town-doors: Porta da Monte (mountain-side) and Porta da mare (see-side). The parish church has in its inside a wooden statue between two majolica angels, dedicated to the Madonna della Pace, most likely a work of art by Silvestro dell’Aquila.The main altar preserves a golden urn of 1759 with the relics of St. Simplicio, patron of the village. In the sagresty a Roman frize, some wooden statues of the 18th century and coats of arms.The church of the Madonna della Misericordia dates back to the 17th century of octagonal plan.Worth a visit is the house of the scientist Giuseppe Flaiani (1739-1808), on the homonymous street.