Alba

Recognised capital of the Langhe, Alba is a city of about 30,000 inhabitants that rises on the right bank of the Tanaro river. It has been invaded and sacked several times over the course of its more than 2000 year history, but still retains its ancient churches and some of its many medieval towers – Alba is also known as the ‘city of a hundred towers’ – that rose proudly above its houses. The old centre of Alba begins in Via Cavour: flanked by medieval buildings (the Torre Artesiano, the Loggia dei Mercanti  and  a  noble  tower-house  with  the  remains  of  ogive  windows), it leads in to Piazza del Duomo. Here stands the town hall, whose council chamber furnishings include a panel by Macrino d’Alba, a great exponent of the Piedmont Renaissance.