What to See in Piedmont (Italy)
Asti, Piedmont (Italy)
The city of Asti is located on the slopes of the Monferrato hills in the southern part of the Piedmont region, about 55 km southeast of Turin. This part of Piedmont is known for its gastronomic traditions. It is home to fine Italian wines such as Barolo, Barbera, Gavi and Asti sparkling wines, as well as Cinzano and Martini vermouths. In addition, this area of Piedmont is home to the white truffle, the most expensive mushroom in the world. The locals are real gourmets, because it was here that the Slow Food movement was born, which encourages people to enjoy food, honor the culinary traditions of their native land and resist the fast food system.
Asti – the center of the wine valley of Piedmont. It was founded by the Romans and was called Asta. In the northern part of the city, the remains of the Roman wall have been preserved. Asti is known as the “city of 100 towers”, because in its entire history, 120 tall houses in the form of towers were built here, where noble people lived. Such houses began to be erected even under the Romans. Today, about 12 tower houses can be seen here. In addition, medieval cathedrals, churches and chapels are interesting in Asti. But still, Asti is better known for its sparkling wine and Barbera red wine, the city even has a Wine Museum, and every September a Wine Festival is held here.
From Asti you can go on a trip through the hills of Monferrato and Langhi: to the town Monferrato, where fine wines are also produced. Monferrato is located Vezzolano Abbey, which was founded in 773. Nearby are the cities of Alba – the birthplace of the white truffle, where the Truffle Festival and donkey races are held annually in October, Cinzano, where the Italian vermouth of the same name is produced, Alessandria with the Sacro Monte di Crea monastery complex of the 16th century, and the thermal resort Acqui Terme , the healing properties of the springs of which have been known since Roman times.
Acqui Terme, Piedmont (Italy)
According to Sunglassestracker, the thermal resort of Acqui Terme is located in the Piedmont region between the hills of Monferrato and Langhi, which are famous for their wines.
The healing properties of the springs of Acqui Terme have been known since Roman times. Then the city was called Akvi-Statiellae, references to it can be found in the writings of Pliny the Elder. For many centuries, the water that fell here in the form of rain and snow accumulated in the bowels of the earth, enriched with minerals. The springs of Acqui Terme are rich in salts, iodine and bromine, which makes their waters similar to sea water. Since ancient times, they have been known as an excellent remedy for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The pride of the thermal spa is the “Bollente” pavilion, which was built in the center of Acqui Terme in 1870 at the place where hot springs come to the surface with a water temperature of +75 degrees. Also in the city there is another outlet of thermal waters with a temperature of +50 degrees – the so-called “Lake of Sources”. The city baths are open all year round except January. In addition, there are two spa centers in Acqui Terme, where a wide variety of treatments are offered: mud therapy, inhalations, massage, hydromassage and beauty treatments.
Do not forget that this part of the Piedmont region is known for its gastronomic traditions. It is home to fine Italian wines such as Barolo, Barbera, Gavi and Asti sparkling wines., as well as Cinzano and Martini vermouths. In addition, this area of Piedmont is home to the white truffle, the most expensive mushroom in the world. Be sure to visit cities such as Asti , Monferrato, Cinzano, Alba and Alessandria.
Bari (Italy)
The territory in the area of modern Bari was inhabited about 3 thousand years ago. The city was first a Greek and then a Roman colony. Thanks to trade with neighboring countries and with cities within the country, it grew and developed rapidly. Today, Bari is the most important seaport, as well as an important commercial and industrial center.
As an east-facing seaport, Christianity arrived in Bari quite early. According to local legends, Saint Peter himself preached here. To Bari in the Papal Basilica is the greatest shrine of all Christians – the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, who in Russia is often called Nicholas the Pleasant. The relics were brought from the east by sailors in 1087. Roger, Duke of Apulia, built for them a magnificent church, which became a place of ongoing pilgrimage. The church is one of the masterpieces of the Romanesque style in architecture.
Bari consists of two parts, distinguished by Corso Vittorio Emanuele: the old city with medieval winding streets and the new one, which began its development after 1820, the main feature of which are straight streets and ideally shaped squares. The old town has preserved the ancient layout typical of medieval towns. There are no buildings above two floors. The main attractions of the city are the Norman Castle and the Cathedral of San Sabino. Norman Castle is located on the outskirts of the old town. This grand structure was founded in 1131 by Roger Norman. Subsequently, the castle was partially destroyed, and in the 13th century it was restored and expanded by Frederick the Second, who turned the castle into a powerful fortified structure to protect both from attacks from the sea and from land. Subsequently, the castle underwent another reconstruction and expansion, in the 16th century, but after the fall of the Bourbon dynasty, the castle fell into disrepair and was used as an army barracks and a prison. The Cathedral of San Sabino was erected in 1178 on the foundations of a Byzantine church destroyed in 1156 by William the Bad. The cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, by order of Archbishop Rainaldo, subsequently the cathedral underwent an artistic restoration in the 18th century and an architectural restoration in 1950.
40 km from Bari are the famous grotte di Castellana – Castellana caves, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Not far from them is the town of Alberoballo with “trulli” – typical white cylindrical houses with dark cone-shaped roofs.
