Asti

The city dates to pre-Roman times and a few ruins remain. In the 10th-13th centuries, Asti rose economically and politically to become one of the most powerful independent cities in Western Italy, with extensive trading rights granted by the Holy Roman Empire. The old medieval town still maintains many of the historic palaces and towers built by the rich families -Asti was known as the "city of 100 towers" (in fact there were 120 of which about 15 survive). Eventually power struggles between Turin and Milan led to Asti's demise as an independent city and the city changed hands frequently over a 300-year period until it fell under control of the House of Savoy in 1575, regaining some of its former glory. The city is divided into the new Baroque (1700s) town centred around the Piazza Alfieri named after one of Italy's most famous poets who was born in Asti and the medieval town centred on the Piazza San Secondo with the Romanesque San Secondo Church and Crypt.

Asti is 40 minutes drive from Turin and one hour from Milan.

Central Asti is quite compact and there is a large and reasonably well preserved historical centre which is easy to walk around. The train station is close to the centre and there are 2 large and convenient parking spaces in the centre (except on market days) at Piazza Alfieri and Campo del Palio. Also parking in the old city at Piazza Roma and Piazza Catena, but be cautious of restricted streets.

There are several medieval churches in Asti, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. Most are open to visitors during normal hours, including:

• 🌍 Collegiata di San Secondo, Piazza San Secondo (in the old market piazza). Built on the site of Asti’s patron saint’s martyrdom (119 AD), rebuilt in the 13th century, and houses the bones of the sacred saint of Asti in the crypt and the Palio d’Asti banners in a chapel. 
• 🌍 Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Piazza Cattedrale. Built in the 14th century, one of Piedmont’s most important Gothic churches. 
• 🌍 Torre Troyana, Piazza Medici. 13th-century Asti was known as the “city of 100 towers” – in fact there were 120 of these fortified family bolt-holes, of which about 12 still survive. This tower is open to visitors on weekends to walk up the summit. 
• 🌍 Torre Rossa, end of Corso Alfieri. Oldest surviving tower dating back to Roman era (1st century), formerly part of the old gate. 
• 🌍 Palazzo Civico, Piazza San Secondo. An old palace, used as the mayor's office and other Asti commune offices. Visitors allowed on the first floor halls. 
• 🌍 Historical Archives (Palazzo Mazzola), Via Cardinal Massaia, opposite Cathedral. It houses a large collection of historical documents and maps, including a room dedicated to Palio di Asti. Open weekdays in normal hours, €2.50 admission. 
• 🌍 Teatro Alfieri, Via Teatro Alfieri. Asti’s theatre, built in 1860, resembles an opera house and was renovated in 2002. Often if someone is there they will let you wander around. 

• 🌍 Palio di Asti. This historic bareback horse race is the oldest one of its type in Italy originating in 1273, when the Astigiani staged a race beneath the walls of the enemy city of Alba causing great devastation to their vineyards. Wars between Asti and Alba have long since ceased, although to this day there is intense rivalry between the cities, and the Palio horse race is now held every 1st Sunday in September. All the ancient borgo (boroughs) of Asti, and many nearby towns enter both a horse and a contingent for the medieval parade preceding the Palio. The parade starts at the Cathedral and winds through the historical medieval town ending up on the Palio arena on Piazza Alfieri. There are 3 heats, followed by an interlude for the flag-throwers to show their skills; then the final is raced (usually after several deliberate false starts) and the winner claims his prize - the precious banner with the picture of Asti’s patron saint, the "Palio di Asti". 
• 🌍 Festival delle Sagre. It holds every second weekend in September. Every small town and commune in Piedmont holds a “Sagre” festival celebrating their special food dish and local wines. The Asti Sagre is the “Sagre of Sagres” where some 50 or so provincial towns and communes build a thematic stand in the Campo Del Palio and for two days over the weekend hold an eating festival. Tickets are bought directly at each stand and typically cost €3-4 a plate, plus €1-2 for a glass of wine. On the Sunday morning all the participants sponsor a float depicting traditional rural themes, such as wine making, truffle hunting, distilling grappa, old threshing machines, laundry day, etc. (there’s even one depicting the local bordello). The staging area is in the Campo del Palio and the parade goes through the medieval town, pulled by antique tractors lovingly maintained for the occasion. 
• 🌍 Douja d'Or. For 10 days between the Sagre and Palio, Asti holds the Douja D’Or (gold goblet) wine tasting competition and symposium. Every day there are taste workshops, learned discussions, wine judging, label competition, plus speciality plates from the local restaurants and music at night. Over 400 wines are available for tasting, not only Piedmontese but from all over Italy and each year a non-Italian wine region is featured. 
• Palio degli Sbandieratori. Piedmont's flag-throwing teams are justly famous and every Asti Borgo and provincial town sponsors a team, who compete in the Piazza San Secondo in a night time spectacle during the Palio week. This event is not staged for tourists, its very much for locals to support their commune, and hence has a lot of character and charm. 

Asti has many smart shops in the town centre. Some good places for gifts:

• Ricambi d’Arte, Corso Alfieri 203. Linens, materials, laces, table clothes and small gift items. 
• Pasticceria Giordanino, Corso Alfieri 256. Cakes, chocolates and biscuits. 
• Enoteca Pompa Magna, Via Aliberti 65. Good selection of local wines and wine bar at very reasonable prices – owner speaks English. 
• Gastronomia San Secondo, Corso Dante 6. Wonderful delicatessen close to Piazza Alfieri. 
• Laboratorio Caseario, Via Cavour 6 (near Rainero Hotel). Asti’s best cheese shop, also a wine bar and café ideal for a light lunch. 

Asti has many fine restaurants, osterie and trattorie to choose from including.

• 🌍 Tacabanda, Via al Teatro 5 (next to Teatro Alfieri, downstairs basement), ☏ +39 0141 530999. Closed Monday. Good wine selection and value. 
• 🌍 Gener Neuv, Via Carlo Leone Grandi, ☏ +39 0141 557270. Closed Sunday evening.. Regarded as Asti’s best restaurant (and most expensive). 
• 🌍 Angolo del Beato, Vicolo Cavalleri, ☏ +39 0141 531668, info@angolodelbeato.it. Closed Sunday. Regional cuisine. Rabbit in tuna sauce, bagna cauda, Piedmontese wines. 
• 🌍 Pizza Francese, Via dei Cappellai 15, ☏ +39 0141 592321. Closed Wednesday. 
• 🌍 Hotel Reale, Piazza Alfieri 6, ☏ +39 0141 530240. The old hotel in the heart of town on Piazza Alfieri, good restaurant (Il Flauto Magico), wine bar and pizzeria downstairs. 
• 🌍 Monna Laura, Via Cavour 30, ☏ +39 0141 594159. 
• 🌍 Moro 2.0, Via Mameli 11, ☏ +39 0141 592513. 
• 🌍 Tartufo d'Oro, Via Cavour 95, ☏ +39 0141 352087. 
• 🌍 Tre Re, Corso Alfieri 378, ☏ +39 0141 592753. 
• 🌍 Osteria del Palio, Piazza Alfieri 28, ☏ +39 0141 590401. 
• 🌍 One More, Lungo Tanaro dei Pescatori 12, ☏ +39 347 537 4877. 
• 🌍 Dai Toscanacci, Corso Alfieri 430, ☏ +39 349 523 8894. 
• 🌍 Villa Fernanda, Località Palucco, ☏ +39 0141 212785. 
• 🌍 Pizzorante Capri, Corso Savona 153, ☏ +39 0141 592570. 
• 🌍 cRust, Piazza Roma 12, ☏ +39 0141 34875. 
• 🌍 Volli, Via XX Settembre 60, ☏ +39 0141 178 6215. 

• 🌍 Bar Cocchi, Piazza Vittorio Alfieri 64. One of Asti's oldest bars, originally opened by Cocchi spumante house. 
• 🌍 Pompa Magna, Via Aliberti 65. Wine bar and restaurant. 
• 🌍 Caffetteria Mazzetti, Corso Vittorio Alfieri 357. 
• 🌍 Il Cicchetto, Via Garetti 11. 
• 🌍 Il Cavallino Alato, Via Quintino Sella 3. 
• 🌍 Old River, Piazza Astesano, 27. 
• 🌍 Taste' Vin, Via Carlo Vassallo 2. 
• 🌍 Caffè Musetti, Piazza San Secondo. 
• 🌍 Green Zone, Via Teatro Alfieri 8-10. 
• 🌍 Novecento, Via Ospedale 14. 
• 🌍 Portici Rossi, Corso Alfieri 191. 
• 🌍 La Terrazza del Borgo, Località Viatosto. 

• 🌍 Hotel Cavour, Piazza Marconi 18, ☏ +39 0141 530222, fax: +39 0141 530222. Inexpensive hotel next to train station. 
• 🌍 Hotel Palio, Via Cavour 106, ☏ +39 0141 34371, fax: +39 0141 3473. 4-star hotel in central Asti, close to train station and campo del Palio. 
• 🌍 Hotel Lis, Via Fratelli Rosselli 10. 
• 🌍 Hotel Aleramo, Via Emanuele Filiberto 13. 
• 🌍 Mini Motel, Corso Alessandria 560. 
• 🌍 Albergo Etico, Corso Galileo Ferraris 58. 
• 🌍 Albergo Antica Dogana, Via Antica Dogana 5, Frazione Quarto Inferiore. 
• 🌍 Hotel Reale, Piazza Alfieri 5. 
• 🌍 Hotel Rainero, Via Cavour 85. 
• 🌍 Villetta Sampaguita, Valleandona 117, ☏ +39 0141 295802, fax: +39 0141 295970. Agriturismo B&B 10 minutes from Asti, owned by British couple, with vineyard and winery. 
• 🌍 Agriturismo I Surì, Frazione San Marzanotto 77. 
• 🌍 Agriturismo Cascina Lissona, Località Valgera 57. 
• 🌍 La Ferté, Strada Valmanera 150. 

Asti is near many wine country hill towns and villages:

• The Roero; Cisterna d'Asti, Canale
• N. Monferrato; Cocconato, Abbazia Vezzolano, Sacra di Crea
• S. Monferrato; Nizza, Canelli
• Langhe; Barolo, Barbaresco & Mango