Asti

Asti is the capital of the province of Asti, one of most important wine areas in Italy, and lends its name to some illustrious wines, such as Moscato d'Asti. Asti is the main commercial centre of Piedmont's wine area, but still retains a friendly, small town feel and is a good base for touring Piedmont.

Understand
The city dates to pre-Roman times and a few ruins remain. In the 10th-13th centuries, Asti rose economically and politically to become one of the most powerful independent cities in Western Italy, with extensive trading rights granted by the Holy Roman Empire. The old medieval town still maintains many of the historic palaces and towers built by the rich families -Asti was known as the "city of 100 towers" (in fact there were 120 of which about 15 survive). Eventually power struggles between Turin and Milan led to Asti's demise as an independent city and the city changed hands frequently over a 300-year period until it fell under control of the House of Savoy in 1575, regaining some of its former glory. The city is divided into the new Baroque (1700s) town centred around the Piazza Alfieri named after one of Italy's most famous poets who was born in Asti and the medieval town centred on the Piazza San Secondo with the Romanesque San Secondo Church and Crypt.

Asti is 40 minutes drive from Turin and one hour from Milan.

By plane
Turin Caselle (one hour), Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (one hour), Milan Malpensa or Linate (one and half hours). Better to rent a car, (useful for touring around Asti area) or take shuttle to main station and train to Asti.

By car
Asti is on the A21 Torino-Piacenza autostrada; other (scenic) routes are via SS231 from Ventimiglia via Cuneo, Bra and Alba; via SS457 from Casale Monferrato (and Vercelli); via SS458 from Ivrea and Chivasso;

Asti can be reached from the A21 Turin - Piacenza motorway, Asti Est, Asti Ovest and Villanova exits. For those coming from Milan, take the A7 up to Tortona, then take the A21 towards Asti-Turin. For those arriving from Genoa, you can take the A26 from Voltri to Alessandria and then the A21. Coming from Cuneo or Alba, the section of the A33 motorway is open.

- From Milan: A7 motorway to Tortona; connection with the A21 motorway towards Turin with the Asti Est exit.

- From Bologna: From the A14 Adriatica Motorway continue on the A1 Autostrada del Sole, near Piacenza continue on the A21 Motorway towards Turin with the Asti Est exit.

- From Turin: A21 motorway towards Asti and exit at Asti Ovest.

- From Genoa: From the A7 motorway continue on the A21 motorway with the Asti Est exit.

- From Aosta: A5 Aosta - Turin motorway, continue on the A21 motorway with the Asti Ovest exit.

- From Alessandria: State Road 10 or Highway A21, direction Turin, with the Asti Est exit.

By train
Asti is a principal station on the main Turin to Rome line. Frequent trains from Turin (30 minutes) or Genoa (one hour). From Milan you need to change in Alessandria or Voghera.

Get around
Central Asti is quite compact and there is a large and reasonably well preserved historical centre which is easy to walk around. The train station is close to the centre and there are 2 large and convenient parking spaces in the centre (except on market days) at Piazza Alfieri and Campo del Palio. Also parking in the old city at Piazza Roma and Piazza Catena, but be cautious of restricted streets.

See
There are several medieval churches in Asti, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. Most are open to visitors during normal hours, including:



Buy
Asti has many smart shops in the town centre. Some good places for gifts:



Markets

 * Farmer's market, Piazza Catena, open daily in mornings except Sunday, vegetables and fruit from local small farms.
 * Asti market Piazza Alfieri and Campo del Palio, a big general market twice weekly on W & Sa, clothing, shoes, haberdashery, hardware, household, etc., plus cheese, meat and bakery stands. Fruit and vegetables in the morning only.
 * Fiera Carolingia, huge yearly market every May, over 1000 stalls from all over Italy.
 * Antique market, in central Asti every 4th Sunday of the month.
 * Truffle Fair, Cucina e Cantina, mid-November, Asti's truffle festival combined with many wine and food stalls.
 * Truffle Fair, Cucina e Cantina, mid-November, Asti's truffle festival combined with many wine and food stalls.

Eat
Asti has many fine restaurants, osterie and trattorie to choose from including.



Go next
Asti is near many wine country hill towns and villages:


 * The Roero; Cisterna d'Asti, Canale
 * N. Monferrato; Cocconato, Abbazia Vezzolano, Sacra di Crea
 * S. Monferrato; Nizza, Canelli
 * Langhe; Barolo, Barbaresco & Mango