Palazzo Mazzetti

Torre Rossa

Asti Cathedral

Roman conquered Asti in 124 BC and built a castra, or fortified camp, which eventually evolved into a city named Hasta.  In 89 BC the city was elevated to the status of colonia, and in 49 BC to municipium.  Asti was in a strategic position on the Tanaro river and the Via Fulvia, and thus an important link to Augusta Taurinorum (Turino).  Other roads connected the city to the main passes to Switzerland and France. Hasta suffered from the barbarian invasions which stormed Italy after the fall of the Western Empire.  In the second half of the 6th century the Lombards made it the seat for one of its 36 Duchies.

 Piedmonte:    Asti        Avigliana        Savigliano        Turino

 Pictures by Tom Aprille ( tomaprille@quartomese.com )                      Italy Main