| Alba is a classic regional Piemonte town. Often | | | | and white truffles as the city also sponsors |
| Asti, the main town of the Monferrato, has the | | | | numerous classical music/chamber music and film |
| pretensions of a provincial capital, however, I | | | | events throughout the year that continually |
| agree with those writers that cite Alba as a | | | | refresh the city with new residents/visitors. |
| smaller community that happily conserves much | | | | On a first visit to Alba I would recommend |
| of the best of Piemonte. | | | | heading to the ample parking at Piazza San Paolo |
| Between the end of the 12th and first half of the | | | | and then walking the few minutes to Piazza |
| 13th century Alba enjoyed a period of prosperity, | | | | Savona, which is at the top of Via Vittorio |
| which expressed itself in the constructions of | | | | Emanuele II, to begin your stroll. Before you turn |
| fortified buildings (towers) within the town. These | | | | left to walk under the short expanse of porticoes |
| towers were a mark of prestige as the higher | | | | on Via Cavour you will enter Piazza Risorgimento |
| the tower, the richer and more powerful the | | | | (aka Piazza Duomo) with the medieval town hall |
| family that owned it. There are only four towers | | | | straight ahead and Cathedral San Lorenzo to your |
| in Alba today that retain their original height and | | | | right. Very little remains of the principal cathedral |
| are concentrated around the Piazza del Duomo. | | | | that was built between 1486-1517 and in its place |
| There used to be so many towers that Alba | | | | is a neo-gothic cathedral built in the 19th century. |
| came to be known as the town of a hundred | | | | Also in this piazza you will find the Alba tourist |
| towers. Although these towers characterize its | | | | office that has an extensive selection of free |
| medieval history, during the renovation of the | | | | information on local events/tastings/activities in |
| medieval Palazzo Marro, Roman archaeological | | | | English and German (the tourist office is open all |
| finds were uncovered showing traces of Roman | | | | day). Via Cavour is not a very long street so I |
| Temple that existed during the 1st half of the 1st | | | | suggest a little side diversion to Piazza E. Pertinace |
| century AD. | | | | which is a nice little piazza that host a small |
| Much of the essence of Alba can be experienced | | | | organic food market on Saturday. |
| walking down Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via | | | | Most of the Albese stores shut for siesta so be |
| Cavour (both closed to cars) lined with a | | | | sure to plan your stroll when the stores are open |
| wonderful mixture of restaurants/cafes, | | | | which is until 12:30/1pm and then between 4pm |
| enotecas, clothing stores and gourmet food | | | | and 7pm. I suggest select a table at one of the |
| stores (below I have listed a few). Being the main | | | | numerous outdoor cafes - my favourite is |
| town in the Langhe, its no surprise that Alba | | | | Vincafe' on Via Vittorio Emanuele 12 - and enjoy |
| hosts many wine and food related events | | | | an aperitif during the evening "passeggiata", when |
| showcasing the rich wine and truffle production | | | | the locals come out to view and be viewed. Cin |
| (to be discussed in the second part of this post). | | | | cin. |
| However, there is more to Alba than just wine | | | | |