The Roman origins of Antignano date back to the period between 223 BC and 563 AD, when the area was occupied by the Longobards. The town still preserves traces of its original nucleus, and the remains of the old castle: the wall on the left as you go up towards the main square. Under Savoy rule, at the beginning of the 1600s, Antignano was enfeoffed first to the Berlinghieri family and then to the Malabaila family, which possessed several large estates.

Albugnano lies on a hilltop. Its economy is based mainly around agriculture, namely wine production (DOC wines: Freisa d’Asti, Malvasia di Castelnuovo don Bosco and Barbera d’Asti). Pride of place goes to the wines made with Nebbiolo grapes: Albugnano DOC, Albugnano superiore DOC and Albugnano rosato DOC. At present Albugnano rosato DOC is the only rosé wine in Piedmont which qualifies for DOC status.

At the top of the hill where the village is situated are the dome and bell-tower of the neo-Gothic parish church dedicated to the Beata Vergine del Carmine. Not far from there is the seventeenth century Chiesa di San Rocco and vicarage. The little Romanesque Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista lies in the street of the same name. Nearby is the Chiesa di Santo Stefano, records of which date back to 1345.

EVENTS

The main event in Antignano is the “Holy Representation of the Way of the Cross” on Good Friday. Famous throughout Piedmont, it features one hundred and twenty five participants in costume. The patron saints’ days, celebrated with dinners and dances, are another tradition, and in the last decade the event known as “Cantè j’euv”, held during Lent, has been restarted.