century connecting three pre-existing edifices, it was the seat of the podestà, the people's captains and, later, of the Papal governors. In the 15th century the southern side was enlarged, and, in 1520, a Mannerist façade was added in the rear side. In 1535 it underwent a general renovation, and in 1549 a new portal, with a monument of Pope Paul III, was added. Palazzo dell'Arengo, located near the Cathedral Palazzo Malaspina: Palace in Corso Mezzini, previous 14th-century structure reconstructed in the 16th century using designs attributed to architect Cola dell'Amatrice. Roman Solestà Bridge Porta Gemina ("Twin Gate"): an ancient Roman gate from the 1st century BC, through which the Via Salaria entered the city. The ruins of the ancient theater are located nearby. It had two passageways, each tall and wide Porta Tufilla, a tower-like gate built in 1552–55. It is annexed to the Ponte Tufillo, a medieval bridge built in 1097 over the River Tronto. Ponte di Cecco (Cecco Bridge), over the Castellano, recently identified of being of Roman Republican origin Ponte Maggiore ("Great Bridge"), of medieval origin Lombard Palace and the Ercolani Tower (11th-12th centuries) Loggia dei Mercanti: a 16th-century portico annexed to the church of San Francesco. It was commissioned by the city's wool traders guild and finished in 1513. Fortezza Pia, a fortress commanding the city rebuilt in 1560 by Pope Pius IV (whence the name). Malatesta Fortress, in a site probably occupied by Roman baths. It was rebuilt by Galeotto I Malatesta, lord of Rimini, during the war against Fermo. The construction, used as a jail until 1978, was enlarged by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in 1543. Grotte dell'Annunziata ("Grottoes of the Annunciation"), a large portico with niches from the 2nd-1st centuries BC, whose original function is unknown (it has been suggested that they could be barracks or slaves dwellings, or a fortified palace) In Castel Trosino, not far from the city, in 1893 a rare 6th-century Lombard necropolis was found. Parks and gardens Giardino Botanico, Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale "Celso Ulpiani", a botanical garden Economy Recent industrialization has brought to Ascoli several Italian and multinational companies (YKK, Manuli, Pfizer, Barilla) but the bulk of the economy is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises and by those providing professional services to the area. Agriculture is still important (wheat, olives, fruits). Transport Ascoli Piceno railway station, opened in 1886, is the southwestern terminus