The Cittadella di Alessandria represents the monumental fortification architecture of the 18th century. Nearby, museums tell the stories of the Battle of Marengo and the Borsalino hat brand, while Palatium Vetus, the Sale d’Arte and the Teatro delle Scienze offer further perspectives on art, natural history and astronomy. This makes it possible to discover Alessandria through a range of themes, rather than reducing the city to a single era.
Fortifications, the history of a battle and Borsalino
The Cittadella di Alessandria is one of the most significant European monuments of permanent 18th-century fortification architecture. It was built following the 1703 Treaty of Alliance during the War of the Spanish Succession. The story of its construction gives the structure a specific historical context and adds to an appreciation of its special place in fortification architecture.
The Marengo Museum is dedicated to the Italian campaign of 1800 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, and is housed in Villa Delavo, built in 1847 as a monument to the emperor. Videos, maps, graphic works, weapons and other objects, figures in historical uniforms, and films present the battle from different perspectives.
The Borsalino Museum focuses on a different subject: this multimedia museum tells the story of the Italian hat brand Borsalino. It opened in 2023 at the initiative of the City of Alessandria and the Fondazione Borsalino. The contrast between these subjects reveals the breadth of the city’s history: military history is followed by the story of a brand and its own cultural perspective.
Palace history, frescoes and paintings
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 original medieval core have also been uncovered, including triforium windows, frescoes and interior decorations. Architectural history and the collection sit side by side here, offering two different ways to experience the same place.
The Sale d’Arte, which are open to the public, display late-medieval wall frescoes from the late 14th century, inspired by the stories of King Arthur. They also feature paintings by Giovanni Migliara (1785–1837) and offer insights into 19th-century genre and landscape painting. The exhibitions thus bring medieval imagery together with works and themes from a later era.
The Sale d’Arte have a step-free side entrance with a ramp and lift; visitors can explore the exhibition rooms independently. As access arrangements may change, it is advisable to check this information again before your visit. Palatium Vetus has been reopened to citizens, students and tourists; the reopening included the historic building, its remains and the art collection. Check the opening hours before visiting.
Natural history and the night sky
The Teatro delle Scienze brings together the Museo di Scienze Naturali, a planetarium and an astronomy laboratory. The natural history museum offers a tour featuring rocks, minerals and fossils, as well as a scale model of the river landscape around Alessandria. The planetarium projects a starry sky with 6,500 stars and allows visitors to simulate constellations and celestial movements. Tangible geological evidence and depictions of the sky thus offer two different ways to explore.
The entrance and interior spaces of the Teatro delle Scienze are easily accessible to people with disabilities; there is also a bathroom suitable for people with reduced mobility. Check the access arrangements again before your trip to make sure this information is suitable for your visit.
Explore the city and province
On a broader scale, the province of Alessandria offers a varied overview: it lies in southern Piedmont, at the centre of the triangle between Turin, Milan and Genoa. It includes plains, hills and mountain areas, each with its own stories, traditions and cultures. The province is connected by the A21 Turin–Piacenza, A26 Genoa Voltri–Gravellona Toce and A7 Milan–Genoa motorways. Check road conditions before travelling.
The province also offers a regional perspective on outdoor activities, with trekking and cycling experiences through vineyards and historic villages, as well as across varied landscapes. The Percorso Borsalino starts at Palazzo Rosso and passes the historic Borsalino hat shop on Corso Roma in Alessandria. On the scenic Strada Comunale Bricchi, the paved road becomes an unpaved path in places; check route conditions before setting out.
Another type of route is the Anello di Rivarone: this circular trail runs through the hills around Rivarone and can be reached from Alessandria via the provincial road SP80. The two routes differ in form: one is a cycling route that switches from paved to unpaved surfaces, while the other is a circular trail. This can help you choose among the regional options based on your interests and preferred type of outing.
Discover more destinations: Acqui Terme, Casasco, Giarole, Guazzolo, Orsara Bormida, Ovada, Rosignano Monferrato, Sarezzano, Terruggia, Camino, Fabbrica Curone, Monleale, Treville, Tagliolo Monferrato, Spigno Monferrato, Serravalle Scrivia, Pontecurone, Pecetto, Girasole, Gavi, Gabiano, Cassine, Casale Monferrato, Alfiano Natta, Alessandria, Oviglio, Alice Bel Colle, Borgoratto Alessandrino, Montecastello, San Salvatore Monferrato, Strevi, Vignale Monferrato, Serralunga Di Crea, Quattordio, Spinetta Marengo, Cuccaro Monferrato, Ponzano Monferrato, Solonghello, Fabiano, Lu, Melazzo, Sanico, Novi Ligure, Volpedo, 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, Corteranzo, Frassinello Monferrato, Mazzarelli, Castelletto D'orba, Voltaggio, Bistagno, Masio, Predosa, Carrosio, Montaldo Cosola, Bosco Marengo, Borgo Adorno, Carpeneto, Borgo San Martino, Sala Monferrato, Cardona, Garbagna, Montacuto, Rocchetta Ligure, Brignano, Cantalupo Ligure, Paderna, Poggio Maggiore, Ciglione, Grognardo, Lobbi, Gamalero, Cadepiaggio, Olivola, Spineto Scrivia, San Giuliano Vecchio, Mirabello Monferrato, Frassineto Po, Sant'Agata Fossili, Momperone, Montaldo Bormida, Prasco, Bandita, Cavatore, Camagna Monferrato, Terranova
For the broader travel overview: Piedmont.
