Alessandria Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Alessandria

Alessandria is a city and provincial capital located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Situated between the Tanaro and Bormida rivers, it stands at the center of the territorial area defined by Turin, Milan, and Genoa. As the largest municipality by surface area in Piedmont, the city serves as a major regional hub for industry, agriculture, and logistics, while also hosting a campus of the University of Eastern Piedmont.

The city's origins trace back to Roman-era villages, but its official founding took place in 1168 when the Lombard League established the settlement to resist Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, naming it after Pope Alexander III. Local legend holds that a clever peasant named Gagliaudo helped end an imperial siege in 1174 by tricking the forces outside the walls. Over the centuries, control shifted between regional powers, including the Visconti of Milan, Spain, and the Duchy of Savoy. In 1800, the surrounding area served as the site of Napoleon's famous Battle of Marengo, leading to a period of French rule that reshaped the urban landscape. Later, in 1821, Alessandria played a key role in early Italian unification efforts when insurgents raised a tricolour flag at the city's fortress.

Among the central architectural features is the city's star-shaped citadel, constructed in the 18th century under Savoy rule on the site of the former village of Bergoglio. The complex was later modernized during the Napoleonic era. Other military heritage sites in the area include 19th-century fortifications, such as Forte Acqui and the divided remains of Forte Ferrovia, which is bisected by a rail line.

Within the city center, visitors can view the neoclassical cathedral, which was built under Napoleon to replace an earlier Gothic structure. A statue commemorating the legendary peasant Gagliaudo is located on the cathedral's exterior corner. The town hall features a historic brass rooster mounted on its roof, a relic taken from Casale Monferrato during a 13th-century conflict. Spanning the nearby river is the Tanaro bridge, originally commissioned in 1455. In addition to its historical landmarks, Alessandria is internationally recognized as the home of the Borsalino hat manufacturing company.