Asti Attractions
Asti, the Roman Asta, lies in the valley of the Tarano, some 55km/34mi from Turin. The town, seat of a bishop and one of the most powerful city-republics of northern Italy in the Middle Ages, lies in the very fertile area of the Montferrato.
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Baptistery of San Pietro
The Baptistery of San Pietro is located on one of Asti's main streets and dates to the 12th C.
Cathedral
Near the Palazzo Alfieri in Asti is the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, built 1309-48 on the site of an earlier church. It has a brick facade, and the south doorway is decorated with statues. The spacious interior contains Baroque paintings. The Romanesque campanile originates from 1266. On the north side of the cathedral is the Baroque church of San Giovanni with a ninth century crypt.
Museums
The Palazzo Mazzetti on Corso Vittorio Alfieri houses the municipal picture gallery displaying works by contemporary artists. This building also houses the "Museo del Risorgimento".
Palazzo Alfieri
In the western part of the main street in Asti can be found the Palazzo Alfieri (museum); inside is the room in which the dramatist Vittorio Alfieri (1749-1803) was born.
Palio San Secundo
Palio San Secundo, an annual festival, is said to have been carried out for over 700 hundreds without interruption. The event is a celebration of the end of conflict between civil and religious authority. Historical events are recounted and traditional costumes are worn by the participants.
The festival takes place in early May.
The festival takes place in early May.
Tower Houses
In Asti there are a number of tower-houses belonging to noble families, among them the Torre Troiana and the Torre dei Comentini, both in the west of the town.
