Asti

Asti is a rich in history province: there are evidences from Roman times onwards. The territory passed from Roman colony to municipium with the term of Hasta including the current upper and lower Monferrato.

From Eleventh century the town began the ascent that led it to be up to the Thirteenth century the most important center of Piedmont.

Free republic until 1313, when passed under the dominion of Anjou, of Orleans, of Marquis of Monferrato, of Visconti and then of Savoy. At the end of '700, rebelling against the House of Savoy, Asti proclaimed itself republic. In the Napoleonic period became the capital of the department of Tanaro. Since 1935 has been a Piedmont privince. Asti is land of wine: an economic and cultural identity that has made it world-famous for Moscato, the sparkling wine that has taken its name from the Carolingian town.

From an exclusively family-run farm economy, was transformed in the 1960s and 1970s into an industrial centre, mainly for the Turin automotive industry.

The surviving agriculture was able to redefine itself and adapt to the rules of trade, taking in a stout defense and promotion of high-quality wine that has been recognized by the designation of DOC ("denominazione di origine controllata")- a recognition for 11 wines - and has led to the opening of prestigious wineries and wine shops, points of reference for entrepreneurs and gourmet.

The vestiges of the past are described in a nice old civic centre of medieval architecture with insertions of Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries. In the Palio relives the history of the town, in the festival the rural traditions, in Douja d'Or the feast of wines of Asti and much more.

The town of Asti is characterized as capital intimately tied to the homogeneous territory of the province, a harmonious succession of gently rolling hills that ripple in the Val Bormida and in the Langa Astigiana, rich of pastures and cheese.

Places of great architectural importance, religious and cultural:
- Complesso di San Pietro in Consavia
- Palazzo Mazzetti
- La cripta di Sant'Anastasio
- Palazzo Ottolenghi
- Palazzo Mazzoli
- La Cattedrale