Alba, Piedmont

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Alba
—  Comune  —
Città di Alba
View of the city of Alba

Coat of arms
Alba, Piedmont is located in Italy
Alba
Location of Alba in Italy
Coordinates: 44°42′N 08°02′E / 44.700°N 8.033°E / 44.700; 8.033Coordinates: 44°42′N 08°02′E / 44.700°N 8.033°E / 44.700; 8.033
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province Cuneo (CN)
Government
 • Mayor Maurizio Marello (since June 23, 2009)
Area
 • Total 54 km2 (21 sq mi)
Elevation 172 m (564 ft)
Population
 • Total 31,341
 • Density Bad rounding here580/km2 (Bad rounding here1,500/sq mi)
Demonym Albesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 12051
Dialing code 173
Patron saint St. Lawrence
Saint day August 10
Website Official website
The Cathedral of Alba.
A view of Via Vittorio Emanuele in the center of Alba.

Alba (Latin: Alba Pompeia) is a town and comune of Piedmont, Italy, in the province of Cuneo. It is considered the capital of the hilly area of Langhe, and is famous for its white truffle, peach and wine production.[1][2] The confectionery group Ferrero is based in Alba.

Contents

History[edit]

Alba's origins date from before the Roman civilization, connected probably to the presence of Celt and Ligurian tribes in the area.

The modern town occupies the site of ancient Alba Pompeia, the name given after being officially recognized as a town by the Roman consul Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo while constructing a road from Aquae Statiellae (Acqui) to Augusta Taurinorum (Turin). Alba was the birthplace of Publius Helvius Pertinax, briefly Roman emperor in 193.

After the fall of the Western Empire, the city was repeatedly sacked by Burgundians, Lombards and Franks. In the 11th century it become a free commune (or city-state) and was a member of the Lombard League. Montferrat and the Visconti fought over the town; later it became a possession of the Gonzaga. Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy conquered it twice, while later France and Spain battled for its possession. The Treaty of Cherasco (1631) assigned Alba definitively to Savoy.

Alba won a Gold Medal for Military Valour for the heroic activity of its citizens in the Italian resistance movement during the course of World War II. In October 1944 the town was liberated by partisans who established a Republic of Alba which for a few weeks was able to maintain its independence from the Fascist Republic of Salò.

Main sights[edit]

Of the Roman city, which had a polygonal form, parts of the fortified gate and remains of some edifices with marble and mosaics can still be seen.

Other attractions include:

  • The Palazzo Comunale (13th century, housing a Nativity by Macrino d'Alba of 1501) and the Bishop's Palace.
  • Some towers of 14th-15th centuries: Alba was once known as the "City with hundred towers".
  • the Romanesque Alba Cathedral of San Lorenzo (Duomo), built in 12th century, probably over holy edifices of Roman age. It was restructured in 15th century, by bishop Andrea Novelli, and again in the following centuries. The current appearance is from the controversial restoration of 19th century, of which the three portals and the crpyt are from the original edifice. The church is well known for its wood-carved chorus made in 1512 by Bernardino Fossati. The current belfry, from the 12th century, includes entirely the original bell tower.
  • The Gothic church of San Domenico (13th-14th century), the most artistically relevant church in town. It has a noteworthy portal with a triple arch within a pointed arch, a polygonal apse and traces of Renaissance frescoes. During the Napoleonic Wars it was used a stable, and was reconsecrated on June 22, 1827.
  • The Baroque church of St. John the Baptist, housing a Madonna of the Graces (1377) by Barnaba da Modena and a Madonna with Saints (1508) by Macrino d'Alba.

The city museums include the F. Eusebio Municipal Museum of Archaeology and Natural Science.

Economy[edit]

In addition to traditional agriculture, Alba is a very important center of wine. In the area of Alba, in fact, there are 290 wineries that cultivating an area of 700 hectares of land, producing an average of 61,200 hl of wine annually.[3]

The wines of Alba are among the most renowned in Italy and are divided into:

The city has a thriving economy, boasting the confectionery industry's world-renowned Ferrero, the publishing house Società San Paolo and the textile firm Miroglio.

In the town houses the largest Cooperative Credit Bank of Italy, by number of partners, the Banca d'Alba, and the international food chain Eataly. Alba has also been established UniEuro, the Italian chain of stores specializing in products, telephones and electrical appliances.

Alba is also famous worldwide for its white truffles, so much that goes on the annual Truffle Festival.

Sport[edit]

The town’s football club, A.S.D. Albese Calcio has been in existence since 1917.

Notable natives and residents of Alba[edit]

See also: Category:People from Alba, Piedmont

International relations[edit]

Twin towns — Sister cities[edit]

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Alba is twinned with:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "White Truffles from Alba". www.lifeinitaly.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-08.  Text " Italy " ignored (help)
  2. ^ "The White Truffles of Alba". www.italyinsf.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-08.  Text " Italy In SF " ignored (help)
  3. ^ VinoStore.it
  4. ^ "Banská Bystrica Sister Cities". © 2001-2008. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 

Sources and external links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alba
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alba,_Piedmont&oldid=559249994"