ASTI | PIEDMONT

Discover Asti

Asti borders Turin to the north, Alexandria to the east, the region of Liguria (the province of Savona) to the south, and the province of Cuneo to the west. The province of Asti was established in 1935 by its separation from the existing province of Alexandria.
Asti is world famous for the production of its wines, the pride of national wine production.
It is located on a hill that gives it its name – in fact, “ast” means "rock that rises from the plain." Among the monuments that best exemplify Asti’s great history is the Rotunda of the Holy Sepulchre with its priory church of San Pietro in Consavia, the Paleontological and Archaeological Museum, Palazzo Alfieri that houses the Alfierano Museum, Palazzo Mazzetti, Palazzo Mazzola and the crypt of S. Anastasio.
The province of Asti is dotted with beautiful towns where you can taste excellent local products, sip wine, and be enchanted by the beauty of the artworks.

Agliano is located on a hill where a superb panorama of vineyard-covered hillsides can be enjoyed. The vineyards of Agliano are so much part of the everyday life of all the townspeople they almost seem to enter their homes.
Visible throughout the area are beautiful rustic chapels, nestled amid farmhouses and fields. Besides the fame of its wine, Agliano is also known for its spa waters and salt-sulphur-magnesium baths. Worth visiting are the 18th parish church and the church of S. Michele.
At Canelli, a visit to the Castello-Residenza is essential. The castle was repeatedly attacked then completely razed to the ground in 1617; afterwards it was rebuilt as a residence. Absolutely deserving a visit are the underground cathedrals: cellars dug in the tuff hills in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nizza Monferrato, formerly called Nizza della Paglia (Straw Nizza) because of its houses with straw roofs, is famous for its "bagna cauda", a typical local dish.
Also famous for its confectionery, called the “sandamianesi”, S. Damiano D'Asti rises on a hill surrounded by vineyards, peach orchards, and forests with plenty of white truffles.
Another area of wine and truffles is Moncalvo.
Among the most important wines to note are Asti, Moscato d'Asti, Barbera d'Asti, Barbera del Monferrato, Grignolino and Freisa d'Asti.