In which quarter house in Asti?

Visit Italy, its culture and its heritage? Discover the Po plain and the neighborhoods where to stay in Asti to spend a nice holiday!

A small town in Piedmont, north-west of Italy, Asti is a city of 76,534 inhabitants. Located a few kilometers southeast of Turin , the city is built on the north shores of the Tanaro River, a tributary of the Po. Occupied since the Neolithic period and founded by the Ligures before passing under Roman domination, Asti was the place of many lusts during its history (Wisigoths, Francs, Génois, French, etc.). Because of the many influences it has suffered, the municipality of Asti has a rich historical, cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage.

Because of its tourist attraction, prices to stay in Asti can be raised, even by reserving accommodation at home. But when you love, you don't count! So this is where to sleep in Asti.

The historic centre

The historic centre – centro storico -, as often, contains most of the city's must-see sites. Pline the Elder (23-79) said that Asti was one of the richest cities in the Italian peninsula. In Asti, the old town has many historical monuments, medieval houses and towers, museums (Hebraic museum, Alfieri museum, archaeology and palaeontology museum, Palazzo Mazzola), medieval or baroque palaces and religious buildings. These sometimes imposing medieval buildings bear witness to the power that once enjoyed the city. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, dating from the 13th century, is one of the most majestic of Piedmont. Collegiata San Secondo , Palazzo Catena , Palazzo Zoya and Palazzio del Podestan are immanquable buildings in the area.

Enjoy it also to contemplate the many medieval towers of the neighborhood: Torre Civica, Torre Comentina, Torre Guttuari, Torre Quartero, Torre Nata , etc. The pedestrian streets of the city are also known to be a pleasant place to stroll. If you come in September, don't miss the famous Palio di Asti , a traditional horse race on the Piazza Vittorio Alfieri . If there are many bars and restaurants – where, for example, the Asti Spumante wine, there are quite a few hotels. In order to stay in the neighborhood, you will prefer housing at home!

The surrounding municipalities

Asti, the land of wine and Asti Spumante , is located in a region where you find beautiful views of the plain of the Po. Not far from Asti, you will be able to stay in Rochetta Tanaro to explore the Natural Park of Rocchetta Tanaro and offer you beautiful nature walks in a green setting. Along a 20-kilometre perimeter around Asti, you will encounter medieval villages which it is interesting to see: to stop to stay there for one or two nights will allow you to escape the beaten paths of Piedmont: Canelli, Roccaverano, Costigliole. We can walk in the footsteps of pilgrims who once beat the pavement of Via Francigena, observing numerous churches and picturesque medieval abbeys.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Fabcom