Provinces of Piemonte: Asti
Situated at 123 m., on the left of the Tanaro, in the beautiful Monferrato hills, this town has been the capital of the smallest Piedmontese province since 1935.
Once a Ligurian settlement and Roman municipality, it was occupied by the Ostrogoths, the Lombards (569) and the Franks (774), then ruled by bishops.
Pillaged in 1155 by Frederick I Barbarossa, it was associated with the Savoys, the Angevins and the Viscontis: Emanuele Filiberto was declared its last overlord in 1575. After the ephemeral proclamation of the Republic (1797), its fortunes were those of the Savoys and Piedmont.
Monuments: San Secondo (13th-15th century), the Cathedral (14th century), Palazzo Alfieri, some of the `hundred towers'; San Pietro in Consavia (14th century) is a short distance away.
The economy of Asti is based on wine and spirits, fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as the textile and engineering industries.
Events: Douja d'Or (wine festival in September), Festa di San Secondo (1st May), Palio di Asti (medieval horse race, September), a local gastronomy week in autumn.
Famous People: Vittorio Alfieri (poet, 1749-1803), Isacco Artom (writer, 1829-1890), Leonardo Botallo (surgeon, 1530-1571), Umberto Cagni (explorer, 1863-1932).
Cultural Institutions: Centre of Alfieri studies, Casa dell'Alfieri, Archaeological and Palaeontologic Museum, Museo del Risorgimento, Pinacoteca Civica (civic art gallery), Teatro Alfieri (theatre).
In the Province: Nizza Monferrato (engineering, wine and garment industries; wine museum), Canelli (home of Italian spumante), Costigliole d'Asti (Museo delle Contadineri-farming museum).
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