Things to do in Alessandria

An ancient Ghibelline village founded in 1168, Alexandria later became a Guelph stronghold and was named after pope Alexander III. Visiting the Citadel Fortress is a must: it is a military building dating back to 1728, created by architect Ignazio Bertola and the House of Savoy. If you are in Alexandria, don't miss the Alexandria Cathedral, with its massive, eclectic 250-feet tall belfry - the third tallest in Italy, after the Mortegliano Bell Tower and the Cremona Tower. Not far from Alexandria you can also visit the small village of Marengo, a witness to the historic battle won by Napoleon against Austria, now depicted in the eponymous museum in Villa Cataldi. Every two years the city hosts a historical reenactment of the battle.