Alba

Capital of the Langhe, Alba was a powerful Roman colony, nowadays a small town that is a good base for discovering the region, with its charming hotels and good restaurants. Despite its past, the monumental remains from the Roman era are very scant.
It is, however, a pretty little town with its medieval towers, and appreciated in particular for its gastronomy, with its famous Truffle Fair, between October and November, which is dedicated to the local white truffle.
Located on the right bank of the Tanaro river at the foot of the hills, in the province of Cuneo, its centre laid out in the Middle Ages has many cafés and shops, but also interesting monuments, in particular the towers erected in the 14th and 15th centuries. Let us mention the 3* Michelin, the “Piazza Duomo Alba”.

What to see in Alba?

Piazza Duomo and cathedral

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo was built around the beginning of the 16th century, remodelled notably in 2009 with a new chancel. Entirely in brick, it is an imposing Gothic-style building, with a brightly coloured interior in blues, golds and beiges.

On the square, the Town Hall preserves on the walls of the staircase frescoes from the church of San Domenico dating from the end of the 14th century. The Council Chamber also preserves fine works.

The medieval towers

The town is also called the “town of a hundred towers” for the high number of old defensive medieval towers. Only a few remain, including the three from the 12th century which are the best preserved and visible from the Piazza Duomo.

Other Churches

• The Church of the Madeleine (Maddalena), in the Piedmontese Baroque style, was built in the 18th century, with a wooden portal and a very decorated Baroque interior with columns and pilasters and a dome.
• The church of Saint Dominic (San Domenico) is a beautiful Gothic church from the 13th century, restored in the 20th century, which is mainly used for exhibitions nowadays, but also for gospel.
• The church of Saint Joseph (San Giuseppe) from the 17th century keeps a beautiful interior with a vault decorated with a cycle of frescoes from 1721, a wooden statue of Saint Joseph from 1743, an archaeological route and a beautiful view of Alba from the bell tower.

Underground Alba

It is possible to discover the town through its underground passages, on a guided tour, crossing different eras, from the remains of Roman temples, theatre and forum, medieval towers, etc.

Gallery

Information

• Wikipedia articles: en.wikipedia.org
• Official website of the municipality: www.comune.alba.cn.it
• Tourist portals: www.guidatorino.com

Map