Alba, a marvel of history, culture, and exceptional food and wine.

Nestled and surrounded by the splendid hills UNESCO World Heritage of Langhe and Roero, Alba is the historical and economic capital of this territory. A lively city with a rich historical, artistic, cultural, and entrepreneurial heritage.

It is located in a flat basin on the right bank of the Tanaro River, surrounded by the vineyards of Langhe and Roero, from which fine wines appreciated worldwide, truffles, and high-quality agricultural products are born. It is also known for its wonderful landscapes and manufacturing industries ranging from food products, textiles to sports flooring, toys, yachts, and publishing.

The liveliness and ingenuity with which the economic, civil, and cultural life of the city is managed, especially in the food and wine sector, are the main reasons why UNESCO awarded Alba the prestigious recognition as a Creative City for Gastronomy in 2017. An appreciation that enhances the city and makes it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations by visitors from all over the world.

A history spanning more than 2000 years

The earliest evidence of populations inhabiting the Alba territory dates back to the Neolithic period, between the 4th and 3rd millennium BC. They were probably settled groups who lived mainly by hunting, agriculture, and livestock farming. The villages consisted of clusters of circular huts, located near the Tanaro River, on the left bank of the Cherasca stream, and in the Borgo Piave area. The villagers were particularly skilled in pottery and a green stone, mainly used to produce tools and cutting objects.

In the following millennia, near Alba city, the Statielli settled, an ethnic group of Ligurian and Celtic origin, assimilated by the Gauls at the end of the 5th century BC, who presumably founded Alba in pre-Roman times. Some scholars believe that the toponym could therefore be of Ligurian origin and would mean “white city”.

With the edict of the Roman consul Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo, who lived between 135 and 87 BC, the city received the Roman imprimatur and was named Alba Pompeia, becoming a strategically important place from a defensive and commercial point of view. Several urban structures were built, including the aqueduct and the sewer system, which discharged waste directly into the Tanaro River.

In Roman times, Alba enjoyed a certain administrative autonomy with its own magistracy and several guilds of arts and crafts, including blacksmiths, textile workers, cloth makers, and dendrograds, who supplied wood for building houses and ships. The percentage of the population enjoying good economic conditions was quite high and was also engaged in livestock and agriculture, especially in the production of wines, already appreciated for their goodness and excellent quality.

In the medieval period, the settlement was surrounded by fortified walls, interspersed with numerous towers, to defend the city from Hungarian-Saracen invasions. The urban fabric was restructured and expanded with the construction of monasteries, churches, and hospitals. Between 490 and 640 AD, the city was conquered and looted several times, and finally, it was decided to move the administrative seat to nearby Diano d’Alba, because its natural position made it easier to defend from external attacks.

The city suffered further raids by the Saracens and eventually the diocese was suppressed and absorbed by those of Asti and Savona. Rivalry, especially with the city of Asti, lasted several centuries and, only in 1259, Charles I of Anjou managed to settle the disputes between the Guelph and Ghibelline families competing for control of the territory.

In the first half of the 16th century, Alba became the scene of bloody clashes between French and Spanish armies and was subjected to looting and devastation of monuments and works of art. Starting from 1559, with the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis, this territory experienced a period of relative peace under the rule of the Gonzaga, but in 1613 it was besieged by Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy, who managed to conquer it in 1628 after numerous armed clashes.

After suffering from plague and various dynastic wars, in the 18th century the city experienced a flourishing period from an artistic and cultural point of view with the establishment of the Philharmonic-Literary Academy and the construction and renovation of religious buildings and a new hospital. Towards the end of the century, Alba experienced the French Revolution and was one of the first cities to proclaim itself a republic. However, the revolution brought death and devastation to the entire territory, forcing many citizens to abandon their homes to resist the abuses of the French army.

When the government returned to Savoy rule, Charles Felix of Savoy launched an intense reconstruction project, entrusting the task to architect Giorgio Busca, who designed and built some important structures such as the Social Theater, Palazzo Miroglio, Via Roma, and Piazza Savona. Once he became mayor, Busca surrounded himself with influential figures from the emerging bourgeoisie, promoting numerous forms of Mutual Aid Societies.

Between the two world wars, Alba saw the birth of several events such as the Truffle Fair in 1929 and the Donkey Palio, in clear contrast to the Asti Palio.

For 23 days, during World War II, Alba was the first partisan republic in Italy, receiving the Gold Medal for Military Valor. During the German occupation, the marshal of the Carabinieri Carlo Ravera, with the help of his wife and Beatrice Rizzolio, aided the escape of numerous Jewish families. For this act of solidarity, on January 23, 1975, the Yad Vashem Institute of Jerusalem awarded the marshal, his wife, and Beatrice Rizzolio the high honor of the Righteous Among the Nations.

In 1948 and 1994, Alba was struck by two devastating floods of the Tanaro River, which unfortunately caused severe damage.

Today the city has rebloomed, becoming a center of cultural, tourist, enogastronomic, and manufacturing excellence, recognized and appreciated worldwide.

What to see in Alba

Alba is an always surprising city, boasting countless interesting attractions: from art sites to the most typical culinary and wine traditions. A city full of resources, all waiting to be discovered.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo

A visit to Alba can only begin with the splendid Cathedral of San Lorenzo, one of the most important buildings in the city. It was built between 1486 and 1517 by the will of Bishop Andrea Novelli and has been renovated several times over the centuries. The latest intervention dates back to 2009, with the construction of the new presbytery. It is a majestic Gothic-style building, built with characteristic red bricks, whose interior is divided into three naves decorated in blue, gold, beige, and brown. Among the most significant works, the tombstone of Bishop Andrea Novelli, created by the sculptor Antonio Carloni, is certainly worth admiring.

The Church of the Magdalene

Another religious building worth visiting is the Church of the Magdalene, built in the second half of the 18th century. The structure is in Piedmontese Baroque style, the work of architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone. The facade is adorned with a wooden portal on which three crossed arrows are carved, a symbol of Blessed Margaret of Savoy. The interior, in Baroque style, is characterized by eight Corinthian columns alternating with some pilasters and a dome with a lantern.

The Church of San Domenico

The Gothic Church of San Domenico dates back to the 13th century and is said to have been used as a stable for horses during the Napoleonic era. In the 1970s, thanks to extensive restoration work, the building was restored to its former glory and, although liturgical rites are still celebrated, it is mainly used for exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events.

The Church of Santa Caterina

The Church of Santa Caterina is located a few steps from the Church of San Domenico, in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where other elegant neoclassical buildings such as the “Giorgio Busca” Social Theater also face. Initially, the church belonged to the nearby cloistered monastery and was officially consecrated in 1711, when the entir

The Church of San Giuseppe

The facade of the Church of San Giuseppe is quite modest, but the interior amazes with its rich Baroque-style decorations. It was built by the will of the Confraternity of Pilgrims and absolutely worth admiring are the vaulted ceiling, adorned with a cycle of frescoes created between 1720 and 1721, the wooden statue of Saint Joseph, the 18th-century organ made by the Concone brothers from Turin, and the archaeological excavations that run through the building. Outside, it is possible to climb the bell tower made of typical red bricks. The church often hosts exhibitions and events, especially during the Christmas season with nativity scene displays.

The Town Hall

The Town Hall is located in Piazza Risorgimento, in the heart of the historic city center. It was built on pre-existing Roman-era buildings and inside it houses some frescoes and paintings of particular artistic and historical value.

The Towers

Alba is nicknamed the “city of a hundred towers” due to the numerous towers built for defensive purposes. Most have been destroyed over the centuries or incorporated into surrounding buildings. Fortunately, the three most important ones, dating back to the 12th century, have been preserved and are clearly visible from Piazza Duomo: the Torre Bonino, the Torre Astesiano, and the Torre Sineo.

Underground Alba

Alba is fascinating even underground, and with the help of a professional archaeologist, it is possible to discover its most secret and profound historical roots. The tour crosses the city’s underground passages to explore the oldest historic center: a Roman temple, a theater, and a forum, an early baptismal font, and the foundations of medieval towers long disappeared. For more information and reservations, visit the Alba municipality website.

Casa Fenoglio

Among the various illustrious personalities linked to the cultural life of Alba, the figure of Beppe Fenoglio certainly stands out, a famous witness of the partisan resistance and one of the greatest Italian writers, translators, and playwrights of the twentieth century. In Alba, it is possible to visit the house where the great writer wrote most of his most famous works. Inside, there is a space that retraces the life of the writer, his family, and the Alba territory through photos, historical documents, and texts taken from his works. In the same house, there is also a floor dedicated to Pinot Gallizio, a painter of Alba origins and inventor of industrial painting. For information on opening hours and days, please consult the website of the Beppe Fenoglio Study Center.

The “Federico Eusebio” Civic Archaeological and Natural Sciences Museum

The Civic Archaeological and Natural Sciences Museum of Alba was founded in 1897 by Federico Eusebio with the aim of collecting and preserving various artifacts from the Alba area. In 1976, the collection was moved to its current location and enriched with new sections concerning the natural history of the Langhe and Roero. The heritage of the old Archaeological Museum was further expanded with new finds from excavations carried out in the last thirty years, which have allowed for the development of knowledge about prehistory and Roman-era domination. The museum is open to the public and can be visited without reservation from Tuesday to Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 7 PM. For information and reservations, contact the number 0173 292473 or write to museo@comune.alba.cn.it.

The “Giorgio Busca” Social Theatre

The “Giorgio Busca” Social Theatre is one of the most beautiful and historically rich cultural buildings in the entire city. Every year, the theatre hosts a rich and varied season of performances including concerts, presentations, meetings, and conferences. It consists of a dual structure, made up of a historic 19th-century horseshoe-shaped hall and a modern hall with an audience area, gallery, and a centrally located stage—a unique construction throughout Europe.

The Best Food and Wine Specialties to Enjoy in Alba

Alba is one of the capitals of Piedmontese and Italian gastronomy, and food is an essential element during a visit to the city. There are many specialties to savor, from the famous tajarin with butter to raw meat “all’albese” seasoned with oil, pepper, and flakes of Parmesan cheese, to the classic vitello tonnato, vegetable flan, and mixed meat ravioli. In a typical Piedmontese lunch, bagna cauda, fried mixed meats, and finanziera—a humble peasant recipe based on offal, elevated by the culinary art of Savoyard cooks—are indispensable. Many of these dishes are enhanced by the renowned White Truffle of Alba, whose flavor highlights the goodness of many traditional dishes. And then there are the unmissable sweets, prepared with the best Piedmont hazelnuts with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), including bunet, hazelnut cake, or the delicious Nutella, perfect on bread for a tasty snack. But Alba is also land of fine wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and classic sparkling wines.

Alba is wonderful to visit at any time of the year, but its most intense flavors come alive during the colder days with the aroma of precious truffles and the must spreading from the wine cellars. A paradise of art, history, culture, and outstanding food and wine excellence.

<h2>Tips on Where to Stay and Where to Eat in Alba</h2>