Alessandria is a town of 93,409 inhabitants in the province of Alessandria, in Piedmont, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 203.95 km², with a density of 458 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Genoa (GOA), about 58 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in Alessandria
- The Citadel of AlessandriaCastles
- The Borsalino MuseumCuriosities
A fortress city on the Tanaro
Alessandria was founded in 1168 by the towns of the plain to resist Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and it remained a military stronghold for centuries. Today it is a calm, elegant city, famous worldwide for the Borsalino hat.
What to see
The Cittadella, an eighteenth century star fortress on the far bank of the Tanaro, is one of the largest and best preserved in Europe. In the centre, Piazza della Libertà is framed by the Palazzo Ghilini and the Palazzo Comunale. The Borsalino Museum tells the story of the hat factory founded here in 1857. The cathedral and the church of Santa Maria di Castello, the oldest in the city, complete the visit.
Food
Agnolotti, bollito misto, the wines of the Monferrato and Gavi, and the sweet "baci di dama" of nearby Tortona.
Around Alessandria
The Monferrato hills, a UNESCO wine landscape, Casale Monferrato, Acqui Terme with its hot springs, Gavi with its fortress and Asti. Turin, Milan and Genoa airports are each about an hour away.
Alessandria on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around Alessandria
Tours and activities nearby
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