Arquata del Tronto is a comune (municipality) in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Italian region of Marche, located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Ancona.

The ancient history of the town is uncertain, though some scholars have assigned it to Surpicanum visible in the Peutinger's Tabula, a centre of the Piceni or the Sabines whose location is still debated.

[3] The first mention of Arquata dates to the Middle Ages (6th century), when a stronghold existed here.

In 1255 it was conquered by Ascoli Piceno, under which it remained (with a certain autonomy) until the late 14th century.

After being contended for years between the two aforementioned cities, it was part of the Papal States; Giuseppe Garibaldi stopped here in 1849 during his retreat after the crushing of the Roman Republic in 1848.