Alba, centre of Langhe region famous for Barolo wines and white truffles
Located in the south of Piedmont and surrounded by the Langhe hills to the south and the Roero territory to the north, this beautiful and colourful town has become a global wines gastronomic reference, thanks to the Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and the white truffles produced in the area, universally recognised as the best in the world.
When to visit
Although Alba is lively and interesting all-year-round, the ideal time for a tour in Piedmont, the Langhe and Barolo regions is during springtime and fall, given the mild climate of these seasons and the beauty of the foliage that can be admired in the countryside.
Barolo wine and white truffle
The months of October and November are the high-season, when the International Alba White Truffle Fair is held in the centre of the old town.
Besides being a unique showcase for the largest and most prestigious white truffle specimens in Piedmont and in the world, the fair is also a great occasion to experience the local gastronomy and learn more about the culture and history of the region.
And talking about great wine, a district of the city, called San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, is occupied by vineyards that are part of the Barbaresco wine region, including the prestigious cru Rocche Massalupo.
Sights and activities
The south of Piedmont has been inhabited since Neolithic times and the city was founded by Celtic peoples that named it Alba.
It was later conquered and expanded by the Romans, meaning that besides the delicious truffle and the tannins of Barolo wine, there are plenty of reasons to visit and go sightseeing.
Tours of the city’s undergrounds will give you the opportunity to see ruins dating back to Roman times; some are still visible in underground excavations or embedded in the foundations of later buildings.
An iconic mark of the old town are the tall red-brick towers, built by local gentry in the medieval period to show off their wealth and power.
The central square is dominated by the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, built in Gothic revival style over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple.
The square also hosts the Town Hall and the birthplace house of Beppe Fenoglio, one of the most important writers of contemporary Italian literature.
