Asti
Discover the city of Asti in Piedmont
Asti is a beautiful old town with 80,000 inhabitants.
The old city center is provided with a pedestrian zone where there are many small shops and cafes
Piazza San Secondo with the cathedral is the meeting point of the locals, where you can enjoy an aperitivo, a glass of “Alta Langa” or “Moscato” at lunchtime.
The big market with fresh fruit, vegetables and clothes etc. takes place twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it is nice to see the Italian life with the bright colors and the conversations of the astigiani while shopping.
The beautiful palazzi, churches and Piazza Alfieri where the Palio di Asti takes place on the first Sunday in September. Since (since 1275) the city is surrounded by a special flair: colors, anticipation of the event can be felt physically, flags hang everywhere as a symbol of the old “Rioni” neighborhoods that will take part in the horse race. Before the race a medieval procession with costumes and magnificent horses with knights, accompanied with trumpet drums and fanfares. Asti celebrates his knight, winner and dedicates this festival to the patron saint, San Secondo.
Secondo was a knight who had turned to Christianity and was therefore martyred and killed in the piazza.
In the second week of September a wine festival takes place in Asti called “Douja d’Or” where the best wines of the
Provincial awards, in the streets and palaces you can drink the fine wines, an event that calls many wine connoisseurs here.
On the weekend there is a farmer’s parade with costumes from the old farm life with old tractors, Vespa and demonstrations from the old life of Piedmont, afterwards on the Piazza del Palio a big culinary festival where every village of the province presents its specialty, you can do it with little money Try specialties and drink farm wine. A festival where all piemontesi take part with joy and that has been spared from mass tourism.