Alessandria is the second largest city in Piedmont, built to be a military city and a huge fortress against Frederick Barbarossa's advance in Italy.
This is why Alessandria, in Piedmont, is the city of great monuments and aristocratic residences, but this is not to say that there is nothing to see and the city, despite the still visible military structure, is elegant, sober and fascinating.
What to see in Alexandria
In 1168, a number of municipalities in the area joined forces to build a city and unite to oppose Frederick Barbarossa's descent into Italy. They built an almost impregnable city. And so it was, because Frederick Barbarossa had to abandon the siege and move on, leaving Alexandria intact.
Citadel of Alexandria
In the 18th century, the Citadel of Alexandria was built: the most important military fortress in Europe still intact. Built by the Savoys on the banks of the Tanaro River, it still looks as it did when it was built: a star surrounded only by the countryside and the plain. It can also be visited inside.
Historical centre of Alessandria
Corso Roma, which ends in Piazzetta della Lega, is Alessandria's living room. In Piazza della Libertà are the most majestic buildings in Alessandria with the Municipal Palace, the Post Office Palace and the Prefecture Palace, which is a sort of small palace with 18th-century stuccoes, mirrors, overhead doors and fireplaces. The Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, has neoclassical forms and important works of sacred art inside.
Borsalino Hat
The Borsalino Hat is the building where the famous Borsalino hat factory was based. It produced quality felt hats and after the Second World War became world famous because there was no Hollywood film in which the actors did not wear a Borsalino.
Today, the old Borsalino headquarters has been transformed into a hat museum that tells the story of hat production and of the legendary factory that is inextricably linked with the city and the destiny of Alessandria.
Video: the Citadel of Alessandria
What to see in a day
Our visit to Alessandria begins in the central Piazza della Libertà, overlooked by the 18th-century Town Hall and Palazzo Ghilini. We visit the Cathedral, not far away, and the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, which was a Masonic temple during the Napoleonic period.
The visit begins, however, after a nice breakfast at Pasticceria Bonadeo, a historic café in Alessandria. The Borsalino Hat Museum is a must on the tour.
For lunch we move on to Acqui Terme to the Antica Osteria da Bigat where we eat the typical dishes of Acqui cuisine (boseca, stoccafisso all'acquese) and those of the Monferrato (bagnacauda, goat cheese with Piedmontese mostarda, Agnolotti al Brasato and slow-cooked ox.
After visiting the village of Acqui Termi and its central boiling water fountain, we visit the Paleologi castle and Villa Ottolenghi. Spa lovers can enjoy a nice relaxing bath.
Surroundings of Alessandria
The surroundings of Alessandria are filled with beautiful castles and villages that are worth a visit (here you can find the most beautiful villages in Piedmont).
One of our favourites is Reneuzzi, in the upper Val Borbera: an abandoned village with a unique charm.
Acqui Terme has been a spa town since ancient times. In the centre of town, the Bollente, a 75° spring, gushes from a 19th-century marble aedicula. After a thermal bath, a glass of Brachetto or Dolcetto d'Acqui is a must.
Shopping enthusiasts should not miss the outlet store in Serravalle Scrivia, one of the largest and best stocked in Italy.
Sacro Monte di Crea Natural Park
The Sacro Monte di Crea Natural Park is a beech park in the Monferrato region where the Sacred Way of the Sacred Mount of Crea is located. The Marian sanctuary stands on one of the highest hills of the Monferrato. The road to the monastery is dotted with 22 votive chapels at which one stops to pray as one walks to the top of the mountain.
Monferrato
Monferrato is included in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. This area of hills and villages is one of the most important wine regions in Italy, for the production of white and sparkling wines.
Here you will find information on how to participate in the grape harvest.
Alto Monferrato is the most densely populated area of castles in the province of Alessandria. Visit the Chiabrera castle in Molare, the Malaspina castle with its drawbridge still intact, the castle in Carpeneto, the Pinelli-Gentile castle in Tagliolo Monferrato, the Spinola castle in Lerma and the Spinola castle in Tassarolo.
One of the most scenic castles in Alto Monferrato is Piovera Castle. It was built by the Visconti family in the 15th century and is surrounded by a moat and a vast park.
Tortona
Tortona, about 20 km from Alessandria, is a legendary city. According to myth, it was here that the Templars hid the Holy Grail, which is still preserved in the Mausoleum of Maiorano. The cathedral houses a piece of the wooden cross that, according to legend, was brought by the Templars from the Holy Land. The Knights Templar were in fact based for about 60 years in the church in Tortona, now replaced by the Baroque Duomo.
Map and map
Below you will find a map and map of Alessandria with walking and road routes to visit Alessandria and its beautiful surroundings. Nearby Novara is about 70 km away from Alessandria, while Turin is about 90 km away.
Italy
Piedmont
Alessandria
