Province AL
Alessandria, AL
A provincial capital founded in 1168 by the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, on the plain where the Tanaro and Bormida meet. It is known for its 18th-century star-shaped citadel and for Borsalino, the hat maker founded here in 1857.
Sights
- Cittadella di Alessandria, a large 18th-century star fort and one of the best preserved bastioned citadels anywhere
- Museo Borsalino, historic hats and hat making from the local firm
- Museo Civico in Palazzo Cuttica, with Flemish tapestries and Napoleonic material
- The cathedral and its bell tower, neoclassical, built 1807 to 1810, the tower among Italy's tallest
- Palazzo Ghilini, an 18th-century baroque palace
- The synagogue of 1871, a survival of the city's Jewish community
Things to do
- Walk the ramparts of the Cittadella, across the river from the centre
- Visit the Marengo battlefield outside town, where Napoleon beat the Austrians on 14 June 1800
- See the Borsalino collection, which explains a good deal about the city
Annual events
June
San Giorgio Festival
About ten days of concerts, talks and theatre in the Cittadella.
September
Concorso Internazionale di Chitarra Classica Michele Pittaluga
Long-running classical guitar competition with public rounds and concerts.
When to visit
June for the Cittadella festival and the Marengo anniversary, September for the guitar competition.
