Sala Monferrato
Hello Alessandria: A Historical and Modern City
Alessandria is an Italian city with an ancient history and a strategic location at the center of the Turin-Milan-Genoa industrial triangle. With its 90,962 inhabitants, the city is the largest municipality in the region and the third most populous in the province of Alessandria. Home to the University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro, the city is known for being an important hub of exchange and a point of reference for the surrounding area.
Physical Geography
The city is located about 100 meters above sea level, in the alluvial plain formed by the Tanaro and Bormida rivers. Thanks to its central location in the industrial triangle, Alessandria is an important highway and railway network, with a head sorting station. The city is served by the A21 and A26 highways, and is known for its long and wide multi-lane avenues and large airy squares.
Climate
Alessandria has a typically Padanian climate, with cold and foggy winters and hot and humid summers. Rainfall is concentrated mainly in autumn and spring, and the climate is more continental than the rest of Piedmont. Winters tend to be colder with more fog, while summers are hot but sunny and dry. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of +24 degrees and is also the driest period.
The History of Alessandria
Ancient Age
Before the Roman conquest, the territory of Alessandria was inhabited by the Statielli, a Ligurian people. In the 3rd century BC, the Roman conquest of Cisalpine Gaul took place, along with the consequent Romanization of the Ligurian population. In 42 BC, the province of Cisalpine Gaul was abolished and integrated into Roman Italy. The origins of the villages of Rovereto and Bergoglio, which extended under Lombard dominion, date back to the High Roman Empire period.
Medieval Age
The Foundation
Control of Italy passed from the Lombards to the Frankish kingdom in 774. The city of Rovereto became an important trading center, which later played a central role in the foundation of Alessandria. In 962, the King of Germany Otto I of Saxony conquered the kingdom of Italy and established the Holy Roman Empire.
Alessandria Today
University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro
Today, Alessandria is an important cultural and academic center, home to the University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro. The structure is shared with Vercelli and Novara and is a reference point for students in the area.
Economy
Alessandria is known for its economic importance, thanks to its central location. The city is an important hub of exchange between the main cities of Turin, Milan, and Genoa. The main sector is the industrial one, but there are also activities related to commerce and food.
Culture and Tourism
Alessandria is known for its historical heritage, which includes the 16th century fortress and the Cathedral of San Pietro. The city also hosts an Archaeological Civic Museum, dedicated to the history of the city from the prehistoric period to the end of the Roman era. The city is also famous for its cultural events, such as the music festival "Alessandria Città Aperta" and the Carnival of Alessandria.
Food and Wine
Alessandria is known for its typical Piedmontese cuisine, famous for its meat and mushroom-based dishes. Among the local wines, the most well-known is Barbera d'Asti, obtained from grapes grown on the surrounding hills.
Alessandria is a historical and modern city, rich in culture, art, and tradition. Its central location makes it a reference point for the economy and cultural activities of the region.
