AM Club | Alfieri, the Crypt of Sant’Anastasio and the Christmas markets in Asti

A morning in Asti, beginning with a visit to Alfieri Palace, the birthplace of the famous poet and playwright Vittorio Alfieri, who was born here on 16 January 1749 and lived here until the age of five. He then left Asti to embark on numerous journeys throughout Europe, becoming a leading figure in the cultural, political and literary scene of the time.

Today, the rooms of the palace house an itinerary that recounts the poet's life through original furnishings from the house where he was born and a number of objects that testify to his literary activity, his travels, his passions, and his incredible life.

But the building also links its name to another Alfieri: Benedetto, uncle of the poet and an important architect who redesigned parts of the medieval building in the mid 18th century.

Second stage in the Crypt of Saint AnastasiusVisiting it means literally immersing yourself in the ancient history of Asti and interpreting the traces of time that intertwine in this site, with roots dating back to the Lombard and even Roman eras.

The remains of the Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Anastasius can still be seen on the site today. From at least the 11th century onwards, it became the seat of an important convent.

Lunch break with enough free time to explore the Asti Christmas Market, the only one in Italy to have entered the Top Ten of the best markets in Europe according to the European Best Destinations ranking.

Restart towards Magliano Alfieri and visit to the Castle.

Owned by the Alfieri family since 1240, the current residence was built on the site of the medieval fortress by Count Catalano Alfieri during the 17th century. The building, completed by his son, Count Carlo Emanuele, is distinguished by the imposing lines, severe and at the same time graceful, typical of the more mature Piedmontese Baroque.

The building houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, with a significant section dedicated to plaster ceilings, documenting a singular decorative phenomenon widespread in peasant homes in the Roero, Astigiano, Monferrato and Ovadese areas from the 17th to 19th centuries, and its particular construction technique.

Since 2015, the castle has also housed the multimedia museum Teatro del Paesaggio delle Colline di Langa e Roero (Theatre of the Landscape of the Langa and Roero Hills).

• Departure 9:00 a.m., from Corso San Martino, at the corner of Piazza XVIII Dicembre – Turin
• End of visit and I will be back in Turin at around 7 p.m.
• Cost of the trip: 40 euros
• Info and reservations: online
• Route in collaboration with Piemonturismo