Alessandria: Cittadella, Museums and Art

The Cittadella di Alessandria is one of Europe’s most significant monuments of permanent 18th-century fortification architecture. It was built following the Treaty of Alliance signed in 1703 during the War of the Spanish Succession. The fortress architecture and the history of a European conflict give Alessandria a distinctive historical focus.

City History and Collections

Museums and art collections also offer different ways to explore the city’s history. The Borsalino Museum uses multimedia to tell the story of the Italian hat brand Borsalino. It opened in 2023 at the initiative of the City of Alessandria and the Fondazione Borsalino. Palatium Vetus is considered the city’s oldest public palace. Its art collection includes more than 800 works, dating from the 15th century to the present day. Parts of the building’s original medieval core, including triforium windows, frescoes and interior decorations, have been uncovered.

The Sale d’Arte are open to the public and display significant works and art objects from the collections of Alessandria. Highlights include late-medieval wall frescoes from the late 14th century, inspired by the stories of King Arthur. The Sale d’Arte also present paintings by Giovanni Migliara (1785–1837) and explore 19th-century genre and landscape painting. An accessible side entrance with a ramp and lift is available; the exhibition rooms can be visited independently. Check the access information again before your trip.

Marengo and the History of 1800

The Marengo Museum tells the story of the 1800 Italian campaign and the Battle of Marengo, including its causes, course and consequences. It is located in the centre of the battlefield near the village of Marengo. It is housed in Villa Delavo, built in 1847 as a monument to the emperor. Videos, maps, graphic works, weapons and objects, figures in historical uniforms, and films bring the battle to life. The focus is on both the historical events and their presentation in the museum.

Natural History and Astronomy

The Teatro delle Scienze comprises the Museo di Scienze Naturali, a planetarium and an astronomy laboratory. In the natural history museum, a visitor route explores rocks, minerals and fossils; a scale model also depicts the river landscape of the Alessandria area. The planetarium projects a starry sky with 6,500 stars and enables simulations of constellations and celestial movements. These exhibits focus on different subjects from those of the art and history collections.

The entrance and interior of the Teatro delle Scienze are readily accessible to people with disabilities. There is also a bathroom suitable for people with reduced mobility. Check the access information again before your visit.

The Province: Landscapes and Routes

Beyond the city, Alessandria province offers a variety of options to help plan your trip. It lies in southern Piedmont, at the centre of the triangle between Turin, Milan and Genoa. The province encompasses plains, hills and mountain areas, each with its own history, traditions and cultures. Outdoor activities described here include trekking and cycling through vineyards, historic villages and varied landscapes.

One specific cycling route is the Percorso Borsalino: it starts at Palazzo Rosso and passes the historic Borsalino hat shop on Corso Roma. The route follows the scenic Strada Comunale Bricchi, where the paved road becomes an unpaved track in places. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out. The Anello di Rivarone is a circular route in the hills around Rivarone, accessible from Alessandria via provincial road SP80. When planning, the two routes can be distinguished by their described features: the Percorso Borsalino is a cycling route with a specified starting point and changing surfaces, while the Anello di Rivarone is a circular route with a stated access road.

Alessandria province is served by the A21 Turin–Piacenza, A26 Genoa Voltri–Gravellona Toce and A7 Milan–Genoa motorways. Check road conditions before travelling. When planning a hotel stay, first consider whether you want to focus mainly on Alessandria’s sights and collections or on outdoor activities in the wider province.

Discover More Destinations

Carpeneto, Borgo San Martino, Voltaggio, Bistagno, Masio, Carrosio, Montaldo Cosola, Bosco Marengo, Poggio Maggiore, Ciglione, Grognardo, Guazzolo, Orsara Bormida, Acqui Terme, Casasco, Giarole, Borgo Adorno, Quargnento, Bacchetti, Castelnuovo Bormida, Garadassi, Tortona, Cereseto, Ozzano Monferrato, Borghetto Di Borbera, Cassinelle, Pietra Marazzi, Arquata Scrivia, Villanova Monferrato, Bosio, Mombello Monferrato, Conzano, San Sebastiano Curone, Valmacca, Trisobbio, Montecapraro, Ombra, Morano Sul Po, Cremolino, Silvano D'orba, Sale, Ottiglio, Murisengo, Castelnuovo Scrivia, Pasturana, Carbonara Scrivia, Castellazzo Bormida, Cassano Spinola, Ponti, Rocca Grimalda, Valenza, San Cristoforo, Ricaldone, Monticelli, Palazzina, Lerma, Caldirola, Fresonara, Figino, Ponzone, Odalengo Piccolo, Montemarzino, Merana, Pozzolo Formigaro, Mongiardino Ligure, Malvicino, Occimiano, Tassarolo, Fubine, Capriata D'orba, Pontestura, Garbagna, Montacuto, Rocchetta Ligure, Rosignano Monferrato, Sarezzano, Terruggia, Camino, Fabbrica Curone, Serralunga Di Crea, Quattordio, Spinetta Marengo, Cuccaro Monferrato, Prasco, Bandita, Cavatore, Camagna Monferrato, Terranova, Casale Monferrato, Alfiano Natta, Alessandria, Oviglio, Alice Bel Colle, Borgoratto Alessandrino, Montecastello, San Salvatore Monferrato, Vignale Monferrato, Strevi, Novi Ligure, Volpedo, Pecetto, Girasole, Gavi, Gabiano, Cassine, Brignano, Cantalupo Ligure, Ponzano Monferrato, Solonghello, Fabiano, Lu, Melazzo, Sanico, Predosa, Pontecurone, Lobbi, Gamalero, Cadepiaggio, Olivola, Spineto Scrivia, San Giuliano Vecchio, Mirabello Monferrato, Frassineto Po, Sant'Agata Fossili, Momperone, Montaldo Bormida, Monleale, Treville, Tagliolo Monferrato, Spigno Monferrato, Serravalle Scrivia, Corteranzo, Frassinello Monferrato, Mazzarelli, Castelletto D'orba, Sala Monferrato, Cardona, Paderna, Ovada

For the broader travel overview: Piedmont.