Romans called Asti "Hasta Pompeia"; during the Middle Age it became a famous trade and banking centre. Now it is one of the most important town in Piedmont, with a rich artistic and architectonic patrimony, but it is also known for the production of wines, such as Asti Spumante DOCG, Brachetto, Dolcetto and Barbera. Asti is the town where the famous Italian poet and tragedian Vittorio Alfieri was born.
Do not forget to visit the "Torre Rossa" (Red Tower), the "Domus in Via Varrone" and the Roman amphitheatre, the Catherdral of St. Maria Assunta, considered as the most important gothic Cathedral in Piedmont, St. Secondo's Collegiata, in which the patron Saint's relics are preserved, the Church of St. Caterina, the Church of Consolata with a Cistercian monastery, "Palazzo del Potestà", the "Torre Asinari", the "Torre and Palazzo Gazzelli", the "Torre Civica (or Troyana)", " Palazzo Malabaila" and various museums (Archaeological Museum, St. Anastasio's crypt and museum, "St. Pietro in Consavia", Jewish Museum and Vittorio Alfieri's Museum).