is a city and
Comune in the
Piemonte Or Piedmont Region , in north-western
Italy , about 80 kilometres west of Turin in the plain of the
Tanaro river. It is the capital of the
Province Of Asti .
(see for location in Italy).]]
The area of what is now Asti was settled, at least since the in
174 BC . In
124 BC the Romans built a ''castra'', or fortified camp, which eventually evolved into a full city named ''Hasta''. In
89 BC the city received the status of ''colonia'', and in
49 BC that of
Municipium . Asti become a powerful city, favoured by its strategic position on the Tanaro river and across the
Via Fulvia , which linked Derthona (
Tortona ) to Augusta Taurinorum (
Turin ). Others road link connected the city to the main passes for
Switzerland and
France .
After a first victorious defence against the
Visigoths in
402 AD, thanks to a massive line of walls, Hasta suffered for the barbarian invasions which stormed Italy after the fall of the
Western Empire , and declined economically. In the second half of the
6th Century it was chosen as seat for one of the 36 Duchies in which the
Lombards divided Italy. The territory of Asti comprised a wide area, stretching out to
Albenga and the
Maritime Alps . This remained when Northern italy was conquered by the
Franks in
774 , with the title of County.
In the late Carolingian age Asti was ruled directly by his bishops, who were the main land possidents of the area. Most important are Audax (904-926) and Bruningus (937-966), who moved the episcopal seat to the Castel Vecchio ("Old Castle"), where it remained until
1409 . The bishopric of Asti remained a powerful entity well into the
11th Century , when Pietro II received huge priviliges by emperor
Henry II . In the second half of the century, Bishop Otto tried to resist the aims of the powerful countess
Adelaide Of Susa , who damaged the city several times. During Otto's reign, a
Commune and the
Consul magistrates are mentioned for the first time (
1095 ).
Asti was one of the first free communes of Italy, and in
1140 received the right to mint coins of its own by
Conrad II . As the commune, however, had begun to erode the lands of the bishop and other local faudataries, the latter sued for help to
Frederick Barbarossa , who presented under the city walls with a huge army in the February of
1155 . After a short siege, Asti was stormed and burnt. Subsequently Asti adhered to the
Lombard League (
1169 ) against the German emperor, but was again defeated in
1174 . Despite this, after the
Peace Of Konstanz (
1183 ), the city gained further privileges.
The ,
1255 , at
Montebruno , but Thomas (who had been taken prisoner) replied ordering all traders from Asti to be arrested in
Savoy and
France . This move showed the proccupation of the neighbouring states for the excessive power gained by the city, which had captured Alba and controlled both
Chieri and Turin.
This led to the intervention of
Charles I Of Anjou , then King of Naples and the most powerful man in Italy. After some
Guerrilla actions, Asti signed a pact of alliance with
Pavia ,
Genoa and
William VII Of Monferrato . In
1274 the Astigiani troops were defeated at Cossano, but, on
December 12 ,
1275 , were victorious over the Angevines at
Roccavione , ending every Charles' attempt to expand in Piedmont. In the
1290s , after the defeat of William VII also, Asti was the most powerful city of Piedmont. However, inner struggles for the control of trading and bank enterprises, soon divided the city in factions. The most prominent was that of the powerful bankers of the Solaro family, who, in
1314 , gave the city to king
Robert Of Naples . The free Republic of Asti ceased to exist. In
1339 the
Ghibelline exiles recaptured the city, expelling the Solaro and their helpers. In
1342 however, the menace of the Solaro counter-offensive led the new rulers to submit to
Luchino Visconti of Milan. Visconti built a citadel and a second ring of walls to protect the new burgs of the city. In
1345 , in the
Battle Of Gamenario , the Ghibelline Astigiani and
John II Monferrato defeated again the Neapolitan troops. John also ruled over Asti until
1372 , but seven years later the city council submitted to
Galeazzo II Visconti 's authority. Galeazzo in turn assigned it to
Louis Of Valois, Duke Of Orléans .
With the exception of several brief periods under Visconti, Monferrato and , Asti became part of the Savoy dominion.
Asti was one of the main Savoy strongholds in the following wars. In by
Victor Amadeus II . In
1745 French troops invaded it once more, but was freed the following year.
In himself visited Asti on
April 29 1805 , but was received a rather coldly by the citizens. After the end of the French empire, Asti returned to
Piedmont in
1814 , and followed its history untile the founding of the unification of Italy in
1861 .
Some sections of the ancient city walls remain on the North side of the city and in the late
20th Century building work uncovered a section of Roman wall in the center of the city.
The area to the NW of the city, between the centre and the Cathedral, is very rich in medieval palaces and merchants houses, many with monumental towers. Asti was known as the city of 100 towers (although there were 120 in total) of which several still remain today within the old city walls. The most known are the (13th century), the octagonal '''Torre de Regibus''' and '''Torre Troyana''' (13th century), as well as the ancient '''Rossa di San Secondo''', built during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Augustus .
Asti is the home to several old churches. These include:
- the great (built in the 13th century over another Cathedral), one of the biggest in Piedmont, in Romanesque-Gothic style. The monumental belfry is from 1266. the facade is charcterized by three portals, each surmounted by a big rose-window. The interior, with a nave and two aisles, houses a wide cycle of 18th century frescoes, some altarpieces by Gandolfino d'Asti and precious silver artworks from the 15th-16th centuries. The presbitery has a noteworthy mosaic floor, from the pre-existing church. next to the last pilasters of the nave are two 14th century artworks, the funerary seal of bishop Baldracco Malabaila and the equestrian portrait of Arricino Moneta.
- the (13th century) in the old medieval centre next to the Palazzo Civico. The crypt is from the 6th century. The facade has three notable Gothic portals, while the interior houses a polyptych by Gandolfino d'Asti and other works.
- (11th century).
- , first mentioned in 886. The old Gothic edifice was dismantled in 1696 and rebuilt along Baroque lines in 1736.
- (8th-12th century), whose museum has some antique capitals and sculptures.
- the Baroque .
- the (12th century) is the most important building from the High Middle Ages in the city. It has octagonal plan with a wide dome.
- (15th century), with elegant external decorations. It the seat of the Archaeological Museum, with Roman and Egyptian works.
There is a Synagogue and a museum depicting the history of Asti's Jewish community whose presence is documented since 812.
One of the most famous events held in Asti is the famous
Palio D'Asti , in which all the old town wards, called "Rioni" and "Borghi" plus nearby towns compete in a bare-back horse race. This event recalls a victory in battle versus the rival city
Alba , during the middle ages after the victorious battle a race was held around Alba's walls, from then on every year in Asti. Asti's Palio is the oldest recorded one in Italy, and in modern times is held in the triangular Piazza Alfieri preceded by a medieval pageant through the old town on the 3rd Sunday of September.
Some of most important Italian
Wines —including the renowned
Barolo —are produced in the nearby
Langhe (
Province Of Cuneo ).
Monferrato generally, which includes the
Province Of Asti , is an important area for the production of fine wines. But perhaps the wine most famously associated with Asti worldwide is the sparkling
Asti Spumante (
DOCG ). The name today is usually shortened to ‘Asti’ in order to avoid associations with the many wines of dubious quality which are labelled as ''Spumante''. Asti is typically sweet and low in
Alcohol (often below 8%). It is made solely from the ''moscato bianco'' white
Muscat Grape . A premium version known as
Moscato D'Asti (DOCG) is seldom seen outside Italy.
While Asti province became famous around the world thanks to
Martini ,
Gancia and
Riccadonna which made commercial wines like Asti Spumante, it is now also becoming famous internationally for its classic red wines such as
Barbera d'Asti,
Fresia D'Asti ,
Grignolino D'Asti ,
Bonarda and
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato. These wines and many others can be sampled during the week-long Douja d'Or wine exhibition which is held at the same time as the Palio and Sagre.
Asti is also famous for its
Festival Delle Sagre , held in September a week before the Palio. During the festival most of the towns in Asti's province meet in a great square called "Campo del Palio", here they offer typical food and wine for which they are known. On the Sunday of the Sagre all the towns involved stage a parade with floats depicting traditional farming with everyone in costume along Asti's roads to reach "Campo del Palio" square.
Asti province becomes a gourmands delight from October to December in the white truffle or "tartufo bianco" season. Although neighbouring Alba is better known for its October truffle fair, some of the best truffles are found around Asti's hills, and every weekend there is a local truffle festival.
Image:Asti0002.jpg
