Asti, Italy is a medium-sized city situated between two hills, Monferrato and Langhe, in the heart of Italy's northwestern province of Piedmont (Piedmonte), a 40-minute drive from Turin and an hour from Milan.
Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Asti became a Roman encampment sometime around 124 BC, then an economic and political powerhouse in the Middle Ages, and it continued flourishing, falling, and rising again several times over its long and remarkable history. Today the city is best known for its exceptional food, the standout sparkling wines Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti and for the Palio di Asti – a bareback horse race through town. If you're traveling to the Piedmont region, Asti certainly merits a day or two of your time.
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1. Spend an Afternoon Sipping Asti's Famous Wines
Asti is the main commercial center of Piedmont's wine area, with vineyards surrounding the city producing some 40 percent of the region's wines, including its most famous Asti Spumante. Take a wine tasting tour through the hills (declared a UNESCO World Heritage site), stopping at vineyards along the way to sip sparkling whites and robust reds.
2. See Works of Art at Asti Cathedral
A must-see, especially for first-time visitors to Asti, the beautiful and impressive Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo, has been built and rebuilt several times. The current structure was completed in the 13th century, with additions dating through the 1800s.
One of the largest churches in the Piemonte region, Bologna's gothic architecture has a towering tower (bell tower) dating back to 1266, a brick facade marked by three flower windows. pink and delicate carvings, frescoes and paintings by the Renaissance painter Gandolfino Keyboardsti.
Don't forget to check out the presbytery with its intricate mosaic floor, part of the remains of a primitive ancient church buried below.
3. Tour the Collegiate Church of San Secondo
Among the oldest Gothic churches in Asti, Collegiata di San Secondo sits adjacent to the Palazzo Civico (town hall) and overlooks Piazza San Secondo, a lovely town square. The church facade has three notable Gothic portals, and the interior holds works by Gandolfino d'Asti, including an important polyptych (a painting on a hinged wood panel).
Built on the spot where San Secondo was beheaded, the 6th-century crypt now preserves the bones of the martyred saint.
4. Cheer Horses and Riders at the Palio
Although not as famous as the Palio di Siena, the Palio di Asti was first held in 1273, making it one of the oldest races of its kind in Italy.
Taking place on the first Sunday in September, festivities begin with a parade that ends on Piazza Alfieri, where representatives of the town's ancient boroughs compete in three thrilling heats on horseback.
A traditional flag-throwing demonstration takes place at intermission, followed by the final race in which the winner is awarded the coveted banner: "Palio di Asti."
5. People-Watch on Piazza Alfieri
Take a stroll through this lively, triangle-shaped piazza named for one of Italy's most renowned 18th-century poets, Vittorio Alfieri. Located on the edge of the old town, it is an excellent example of 19th-century urban-architectural planning—it's lined by porticoed buildings and contains the marble and granite Vittorio Alfieri Monument by Giuseppe Dini.
Besides hosting the famed Palio di Asti each year, it's home to a weekly food market.
6. Admire Traditional and Contemporary Art at Palazzo Mazzetti
Once the residence of a noble family, stately Palazzo Mazzetti is now the city's civic art museum. Galleries exhibit a fascinating collection of Italian paintings from the 17th through 19th centuries, along with an impressive array of contemporary works of art.
Spend a few hours at this user-friendly museum, with interactive touchscreen tables, an educational room, a library, and a coffee bar.
7. Gat a Birdseye View Atop Troyana Tower
The area of Asti between the medieval center and the cathedral is teeming with palaces and wealthy merchants' houses. Many of these once featured lofty towers—in fact, Asti is nicknamed the "the city of 100 towers," though only 15 towers survive.
The tallest among them is Troyana Tower (Torre Troyana). Located on Piazza Medici and extending 144 feet into the air, a climb to the top promises breathtaking views of the city and its surrounding countryside.
8. Explore the Crypt and Museum of Sant'Anastasio
The Romanesque Cripta e Museo di Sant'Anastasio serves as both a museum and an archaeological site. Located steps from the Asti Cathedral, the site houses the remains of four ancient churches—all once belonging to the Benedictine monastery of Sant'Anastasio.
Inside the museum, you'll see the sandstone capitals from the second church (12th century), plus remains of the Gothic church of Maddalena (13th-15th centuries). Take a tour of the beautiful crypt beneath the museum.
9. Learn About the History of the Palio di Asti
If you can't make it to Asti in September, check out the Palio di Asti Museum (Museo del Palio di Asti) housed in the 15th-century Palazzo Mazzola. The museum documents the history of the Palio, displaying vintage posters, ancient drapes of the "Palio," parade costumes, and interactive multimedia workstations.
10. Walk Along Remnants of Roman Walls
Asti dates back to pre-Roman times and has a number of ancient ruins still remaining. On the north side of the city, construction work on a late 20th-century building uncovered a section of a Roman wall.
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