Asti: Roman History, Renaissance and Wine

Asti lies on the left bank of the Tanaro, where the river merges with the Borbore, among the hills of Astesana. To the west of the city, the Riserva Naturale della Valle Andona, Valle Botto e Val Grande consists of two adjacent, separate hilly areas.

Nature

The parks Parco Monte Rainero, Parco Biberach Ander Riss and Parco Rio Crosio are also located in the vicinity of Asti. Together with the nature reserve to the west, they form part of the area's diverse landscapes.

Culture

The Domus Romana focuses on Hasta, a Roman settlement dating from the 2nd century BC. A mosaic from the triclinium can be seen there; its quality is considered unique in Piedmont. The remains of pillars from a Roman hypocaust heating system are also visible in the Domus Romana.

The interior of the cathedral features numerous Renaissance artistic elements. The collegiate church houses works by Gandolfino da Roreto, including a polyptych. The Sanctuary of Madonna della Porta was built around a venerated 14th-century image of the Virgin Mary and redesigned by Gandolfino da Roreto in 1500. Palazzo Malabaila on Via Mazzini is considered an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture in Asti.

Asti is home to a sixteen-sided Roman tower on the site where an ancient Roman city gate once stood. In 1987, remains of an amphitheatre dating from the second half of the 1st century AD were discovered. The crypt contains four columns with Corinthian capitals.

In the vicinity of Asti are Palazzo Catena and Palazzo Gazelli di Rossana, each a palace, the Museo Ebraico as a museum, and Palazzo del Seminario, also a palace.

Walking Tours and Getting There

The medieval walking tour through Asti can be undertaken on foot over two days and leads through the city's historic districts and borghi. Another tower tour leads on foot through the streets and squares of the historic old town in search of the surviving city towers.

Asti railway station is located near the historic old town, which can be reached on foot in just a few minutes, and is situated by the bus and taxi station. Asti is served by a network of road and rail connections; travelling by car or train is recommended.

Wine and Local Festivals

The Douja d'Or is a ten-day event in Asti featuring wine tastings, performances and cultural walking tours. The Douja d'Or offers guided tastings with dishes prepared by chefs, masterclasses and cultural events.

At the Festival delle Sagre, more than 40 participating Pro Loco associations offer typical dishes with dessert as well as DOC or DOCG wine at their stalls. The Festival delle Sagre takes place on the second Sunday in September and already begins on Saturday evening. The food and wine village is located in Piazza Campo del Palio, while the procession passes through the historic old town of Asti.

The historic procession of the Palio di Asti includes 1,200 costumed performers representing the participating city districts, borghi and municipalities of the province.

Other places: Asti, Azzano D'asti, Castelnuovo Calcea, Cessole, Cisterna D'asti, Cocconato, Cortazzone, Grazzano Badoglio, Migliandolo Di Portacomaro, Motta Di Costigliole, Penango, Refrancore, Rocca D'arazzo, Rocchetta Tanaro, San Martino Alfieri, Soglio, Vigliano D'asti, Vinchio, Castagnole Delle Lanze, San Damiano D'asti, Nizza Monferrato, Montegrosso D'asti, Roccaverano, Montafia, Costigliole Dʼasti, Calamandrana, Antignano, Mombaruzzo, Cioccaro, San Marzano Oliveto, Castello Di Annone, Moncalvo, Portacomaro, Casalotto, Camerano Casasco, Aramengo, San Michele, Dusino San Michele, San Paolo Solbrito, Capriglio, Montabone, Canelli, Monastero Bormida, Villafranca D'asti, Calliano, Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Montiglio Monferrato, Cellarengo, Tigliole, Corsione, Belveglio, San Marzanotto, Cantarana, Mombercelli, Vaglio Serra, Bubbio, Moasca, Calosso, Montemagno, Villa San Secondo, Fontanile, Castel Rocchero, Castel Boglione, Olmo Gentile, Cossombrato, Frinco, Vesime, Mongardino, Incisa Scapaccino, Montechiaro D'asti, San Matteo, Cassinasco, Celle Enomondo, Agliano, Baldichieri D'asti, Tonco, Cortiglione, Scurzolengo, Casorzo, Repergo, Castagnole Monferrato, Gorra, Boglietto, Pasquana, Castelnuovo Belbo, Cerro Tanaro, Valenzani, Stazione Cocconato, Ferrere, Cinaglio, Serravalle, Cornalea, Villanova d'Asti, Monale, Cortanze, Castelletto Molina, Castell'alfero, Loazzolo, Viarigi, Villa, Albugnano, Baglio, Passerano, Robella, Quarto, Revigliasco D'asti

To the higher-level travel overview: Piedmont.