Asti: Roman traces, towers and Piedmontese culinary culture

Asti combines a historic city with a landscape of river and hills. The city lies on the left bank of the Tanaro, where it joins the Borbore, between the hills of Astesana. West of Asti lies the Riserva Naturale della Valle Andona, Valle Botto e Val Grande. It consists of two adjacent but separate hilly areas and adds a natural accent beside the cityscape.

Getting to Asti and routes through the city

Asti is served by a network of road and rail connections; travelling by car or train is recommended. The railway station is close to the historic centre, which can be reached on foot in just a few minutes. The station is also located near the bus and taxi station. Those who want to experience Asti without constantly changing locations will find several walking tours in the city, each with a different focus.

Roman traces and medieval towers

At the Domus Romana, pillars from a Roman hypocaust heating system are still visible. The Domus Romana also has a mosaic from the triclinium, considered unique in Piedmont, and addresses the subject of Hasta, a Roman settlement from the 2nd century BC. Asti is also home to a sixteen-sided Roman tower on the site where an ancient Roman city gate once stood. In 1987, the remains of an amphitheatre dating from the second half of the 1st century AD were discovered in Asti.

Historic centre, Renaissance and sacred spaces

The medieval tour of Asti can be undertaken on foot over two days and leads through the city's historic districts and borghi. The tower tour complements it by leading through the streets and squares of the historic centre in search of the surviving city towers. On Via Mazzini, Palazzo Malabaila is considered an outstanding example of Renaissance architecture in Asti. The interior of the cathedral features numerous artistic elements from the Renaissance. The collegiate church contains works of art 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 remodelled by Gandolfino da Roreto in 1500. The crypt in question contains four columns with Corinthian capitals.

The surrounding area of Asti is also home to Palazzo Catena, the Museo Ebraico, Palazzo Gazelli di Rossana and Palazzo del Seminario. The nearby area also includes Parco Monte Rainero, Parco Biberach Ander Riss and Parco Rio Crosio. This allows the exploration of the historic city to be combined with other nearby places without losing sight of the cultural focus of the trip.

Wine, food and major city festivals

Asti also displays its local character through events. Douja d'Or is a ten-day event featuring wine tastings, performances and cultural tours. These include guided tastings with dishes put together 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 takes place on the second Sunday in September and begins on Saturday evening. The food and wine village is located in Piazza Campo del Palio, while the procession passes through Asti's historic centre. The historic procession of the Palio di Asti includes 1,200 costumed performers representing participating city districts, borghi and municipalities in the province.

If you are looking for a hotel in Asti, you can organise your stay around two clear focal points: the historic districts that can be explored on foot and the culinary events centred on wine. The combination of rail and road access, tours through the city, Roman history and regional festival culture makes Asti a versatile base for a trip where culture and culinary enjoyment can be combined within a manageable urban setting.

Other places in the Asti area

Camerano Casasco, Aramengo, San Michele, Cassinasco, Celle Enomondo, Castelnuovo Calcea, Cessole, Cisterna D'asti, Cocconato, 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, Dusino San Michele, San Paolo Solbrito, Capriglio, Montabone, Agliano, Baldichieri D'asti, Tonco, Cortiglione, Scurzolengo, Casorzo, Repergo, Castagnole Monferrato, Gorra, Boglietto, Pasquana, Castelnuovo Belbo, Cerro Tanaro, Valenzani, Canelli, Migliandolo Di Portacomaro, Motta Di Costigliole, Cortanze, Mongardino, Vesime, Frinco, Cossombrato, Portacomaro, Penango, Grazzano Badoglio, Cortazzone, Azzano D'asti, Asti, Incisa Scapaccino, Montechiaro D'asti, Monastero Bormida, Villafranca D'asti, Calliano, Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Montiglio Monferrato, Cellarengo, Tigliole, Corsione, Belveglio, San Marzanotto, Cantarana, Mombercelli, Vaglio Serra, San Matteo, Bubbio, Castelletto Molina, Castell'alfero, Loazzolo, Viarigi, Villa, Albugnano, Baglio, Passerano, Moasca, Calosso, Montemagno, Villa San Secondo, Fontanile, Castel Rocchero, Castel Boglione, Stazione Cocconato, Ferrere, Cinaglio, Serravalle, Cornalea, Villanova d'Asti, Monale, Casalotto, Robella, Quarto, Revigliasco D'asti, Olmo Gentile.

For the higher-level travel overview: Piedmont.