Cittadella of Alessandria 🇮🇹

Located across the Tanaro River on the northwest side of Alessandria, Italy, the Cittadella of Alessandria is a sprawling 18th-century star fort that offers you a rare look at an authentic military stronghold. Commissioned by the Kingdom of Sardinia and completed in the 1740s, this massive 74-hectare, six-star hexagon-shaped fortress remains one of Europe's best-preserved fortifications.

Because no surrounding modern buildings block your views of its ramparts and ditches, you can experience the site much as it stood centuries ago. As you explore, you will walk through a rich historical timeline where Napoleon expanded its defenses and Colonel Ansaldi raised the historic Carbonari tricolour flag in 1821—marking the first use of a tricolour in Italian history.

Inside this immense complex, which sits about 90 meters above sea level, you can cross a long stone bridge, marvel at bastions crossed by tunnels and casemates, and view a wide moat once flooded by river waters. You will also see multi-storey military structures, the historic Governor's Palace, and a permanent exhibition featuring approximately 1,500 uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia from the Royal Italian Army, making it a compelling destination for historical discovery.

What to see at Cittadella of Alessandria

• Explore a well-preserved 74-hectare, six-star hexagon fort with original ramparts and moat views.
• Walk across the long stone bridge to view multi-storey military buildings and the Governor's Palace.
• Discover bastions supplied with cavalieri, tunnels, casemates, ravelins, and counterguards.
• Visit the permanent exhibition of roughly 1,500 Royal Italian Army uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia.
• Stand on the bastions where Italy's first tricolour flag was raised in 1821.

Visiting tips

Watch your step while exploring the grounds, as overgrown weeds affect the fortification and certain areas still contain mud from a 1994 flood.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Cittadella of Alessandria is easy to reach on Alessandria’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Mark. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Alessandria travel guide.