Founded by the Ligurian people in 500 BC, then conquered by the Romans, Longobards and Franks, Asti became an independent city state in 1095. An important centre for trade, it withstood attacks from Frederick Redbeard, the House of Savoy, France and England. It gave up its republican government and was taken over by the Visconti family in 1313. Provincial capital since 1935. The website www.astiantica.it provides a more detailed history.

The town has four built-up districts, covering an area of around 33 kilometres squared, while its other ten districts are largely countryside. Asti is a hospitable town on a human scale, and a walk through the historical town centre is an enjoyable way to discover its towers, palazzi and shops. As can be seen from its elegant Medieval remains, Asti’s golden age was around the mid twelfth century, when thanks to the money brought in by its bankers, the commune filled up with new public and private buildings.
The tradition of the Palio dates back to that era, when the layout of the town and centre was forming, with the addition of strongholds and towers belonging to powerful local families.
The main street is Corso Vittorio Alfieri, in honour of the poet who was born here in 1749, at number 375. The heart of Asti is Piazza San Secondo, with Palazzo di Città, which has hosted the town council since 1558, and the Chiesa di San Secondo, patron saint of Asti. Museums worthy of note include the Archivio storico comunale, the Synagogue and Jewish Museum, the art gallery (in Palazzo Mazzetti, currently being restored), the Crypt of Sant’Anastasio, the complex of San Pietro in Consavia, and the Torre Troyana (for information, the Museums Office, Comune di Asti, tel. 0141/399460). The religious heart of the town, and a splendid example of Piedmontese Gothic architecture, is the cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, built between 1309 and 1354 on the remains of the previous cathedral. The cathedral contains splendid frescoes and paintings by Gandolfino da Roreto and Guglielmo Caccia.

The home town of Vittorio Alfieri is famous throughout the world for the wine produced in the Monferrato area, the beautiful countryside which surrounds it: during the year there are many events which revolve around wine, and the good food which necessarily accompanies it, but a visit to the town is a particular pleasure in view of its stunning artistic and historical attractions.
Key events are the Palio (on the third Sunday in September), the Festival delle Sagre (the first Sunday in September) and the Douja d'Or. The hills of the Monferrato area are also famed for the highly prized white truffle.

EVENTS

There are numerous events throughout the year. For further information we recommend visiting this section of the web-site of the Comune di Asti:
http://www.comune.asti.it/EVENTS/index.shtml