Journey to Asti: A Piedmontese Treasure Awaits
Asti, a name synonymous with celebration and bubbles, is a beautiful Piedmontese city with 76 thousand inhabitants. It serves as the provincial capital and the hub of the Tanaro valley, located 60 km from Turin, nestled between the famous hills of Langhe and Monferrato. Asti is famous for the sparkling wine of the same name and other exquisite wine products, but it deserves the attention of visitors for many unexpected reasons: for example, because it dominates a fascinating territory rich in timeless traditions or for the historical testimonies that dot its center.
History
Roman municipality known as Hasta Pompeia, the city was the scene of important events: seat of the Duchy of Asti, it became a free municipality in medieval times, gaining the right to mint money, and ranked among the most important commercial centers of the 12th and 13th centuries not only in the Italian peninsula but also in the rest of Europe.
Even today, it stands as one of the major centers in Piedmont, second only to Turin and on an equal footing with Vercelli, in terms of cultural and architectural heritage, particularly when it comes to the perfectly preserved buildings of medieval origin, such as towers, churches, palaces, and houses and forts.
What to see in Asti
The Tanaro river, with its tributaries Borbore, Valbrenta, and Versa, borders the center of Asti to the south. Nestled among soft and fertile hills, the city showcases remnants of the Roman period, including the Red Tower, The domus of Via Varrone, as well as the remains of the Amphitheatre, are worth seeing.
The crypts of Sant’Anastasio, San Secondo, and San Giovanni, as well as the complex of Saint Peter, located in the eastern area of Asti, are worth seeing. During the Middle Ages, this area served as the Jerusalem priory of Lombardy.
Many local churches date back to the late Middle Ages, such as the grandiose Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, considered the most precious and important Gothic cathedral in the region. The Collegiate Church of San Secondo, with the patron saint’s relics, the parish church of Viatosto, the church of Santa Maria Nuova, and the church of the Madonna del Portone, which houses the medieval door of San Marco inside, are all from the same period.
But walking through Asti, you can recognize some buildings with even finer and more refined lines, embellished with sumptuous decorations: they are those from the Baroque period, numerous in the city thanks to the presence, in that historical moment, of the architect Benedetto Alfieri. It is worthwhile to visit the churches of Santa Caterina and San Paolo, as well as the Consolata and its Cistercian monastery. Baroque buildings of a civil nature find their best exponents in the Ottolenghi palace, the Civic palace, and the Mazzetti palace.
In the squares and along the most important streets, there are celebratory monuments to Umberto I from 1903, the Monument to the Unification of Italy from 1898, and especially the monument to Vittorio Alfieri from 1862, to honor the artist born here in 1749 and whose Asti theater is named.
Events, festivals, and demonstrations
When visiting the heart of the city, it is beneficial to keep in mind an important cultural aspect that allows you to better understand the citizens’ traditions and habits:
Asti is divided into 14 areas.
The region was divided into ancient ‘districts’ and ‘villages’ based on their location within the first or second circle of the 13th and 14th century walls. According to past customs, each area had its own organization and statute, and it continues to participate in the San Secondo celebrations with its own “team.”
The historic Palio of Asti is among Italy’s oldest events; it takes place in September and culminates with the bareback horse race, in which the various districts or villages participate. The week before the Palio, the city dedicates the Festival delle Sagre Astigiane to those with a sweet tooth, a grandiose event with Piedmontese food and wine, ideal for those who want to taste the best specialties of the region. Thousands of tourists from all over Italy gather in a huge open-air restaurant, where the numerous pro locos in the province prepare delicious typical recipes, accompanied by Asti DOCG wines, for the occasion.
Keeping with the wine theme, the ‘Douja ”d’Or‘, one of our country’s major wine competitions, takes place in September. The ‘Carnival of the Famija d’le Maschere Astesane‘, a tradition dating back to the 15th century and revived since the 1960s, fills the city with characteristic masks in February. In November, the region celebrates its main product with a regional truffle fair and Bagna Cauda Day, a traditional Piedmont dish.
The climate and the best time to visit Asti
Given the city’s position in the middle of the hills, there is a very particular climate, conditioned by both Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, to frame the vital atmosphere of Asti. The average temperatures in January, the coldest month, range from a minimum of -2°C to a maximum of 4°C, while in July and August they go from 19°C to 29°C. The
Rainfall reaches its maximum values in April and November, with a higher concentration in autumn, while the absolute minimum occurs in January, followed by the warmest months of the year. However, there are a few strong and sudden summer storms.
How to get to Asti
Reaching Asti is convenient by any means of transport, thanks to its strategic position in the heart of Piedmont, excellent road connections, and proximity to important cities. For those traveling by car, there is the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway, which connects Asti to Turin and Alessandria, while the local train station is located on the Turin-Piacenza-Bologna line. The closest airport is Turin, in Caselle, with connections to the major Italian and European cities, but the Milanese airports of Malpensa and Linate are also easily reachable from Asti.