Points of interest

Wandering the streets throughout the city center, you can admire the stunning landmarks that point to all that Alba has meant throughout its history.

Beginning in Piazza Pertinace, you will see the remains of a Roman temple that dates back to the 1st century AD and which was rediscovered in 2006 when restoring the adjacent building.

Continuing along Via Cavour and before reaching Piazza Risorgimento, there are a number of buildings that were remodeled in the 1800s, including: Casa Toppino, Casa Astesiano, Casa Paruzza, and Casa Sacco.

Now we come to Piazza Risorgimento, which was once part of the Roman forum, where there was a temple dedicated to Mercury, and represented the heart of the local economy and governance.

It wasn’t until more recent times that it became a hub for Alba culture where the Italian philosopher Pietro Chiodi, from the nearby lyceum, the writer Beppe Fenoglio, who lived across the square, and the artist Pinòt Gallizio would meet. The square is also the site of the town hall, the oldest section of which dates back to the 13th century.

To the left, there is the majestic St. Lawrence Cathedral, the origins of which are unknown. First mention of the church dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when Alba, now a town of great importance in southwestern Piedmont, made use of the cathedral for political and administrative events.

Once known as “the City of a Hundred Towers”, Alba now only retains those that have survived war and the passing of time, most of which are in the area of Piazza Risorgimento, also known as “Piazza Duomo”. The tallest, and certainly best preserved, of these towers are Sineo, Bonino, and Astesiano. (Some twenty towers can be found throughout the historic center of town, many of which have been lowered, rebuilt, and absorbed by buildings of more recent construction.)

Continuing along Via Coppa (note the medieval Casa Cappello to the left and the tower of Casa Chiarlone to the right with its 18th-century wood door), you will come to the Church of San Domenico.

This example of Gothic architecture dates back to the second half of the 13th century.

Continuing along Via Calissano, alongside the liceo classico secondary school, we have the Teatro Sociale, restoration of which was completed in May 1997. Erected in the neoclassical style and designed by local architect Giorgio Busca, the theater was inaugurated in November 1855. It is now a unique structure in Italy, with its historical, horseshoe-shaped hall facing the new hall, both of which share a single stage.

Returning to the main thoroughfare, Via Vittorio Emanuele, also known as the “Via Maestra”, you will find a wealth of lovely shops featuring both Italian fashion and local culinary delicacies.

Along the way, you will also find the Cortile della Maddalena, which hosts the international White Alba Truffle Trade Show, the world’s premier event dedicated to this culinary treasure, as well as the World Truffle Market, which offers up truffles from all over the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato hills.

Also within this courtyard there is the Federico Eusebio Civic Museum of local archeological and natural history, featuring the remains of a mastodon and of a whale, as well as the Diocesan Museum, the Beppe Fenoglio Center, and the Churches of San Domenico and San Giuseppe. This is also the last stop on the Alba Sotterranea (“Alba Underground”) guided tour, an itinerary led by an archeologist who takes visitors to three of the 32 stops along the city’s archeology tour.

Situated in one of the most interesting points in the historic center of Alba, the Church of San Giuseppe was erected in 1643 by order of the Confraternity of Pilgrims. Completed in 1653, consecrated in 1656 and dedicated to the organization’s patron saint, the church was erected on the site of a private residence and includes both Roman features, in the cavea of the ancient theater, and medieval influences. The church also houses a stunning, 18th-century organ built by the Concone brothers, from Turin.