Palazzo Alfieri

Palazzo Alfieri is the birthplace of the famous poet Vittorio Alfieri (who was born here on 16 January 1749), but also the headquarters of the Alfieriani Studies Center and the Eugenio Guglielminetti Foundation, which exhibits the art collections and works of one of the most important set designers of the second half of the twentieth century. A visit to its historical and artistic heritage allows you to discover some of the characters who contributed to giving prestige to the name of the city. The building links its name not only to Vittorio, but also to another Alfieri: Benedetto, the poet's uncle and an important architect who redesigned parts of the building (of medieval origin) towards the middle of the 18th century. The courtyard is notable, characterized by a lively and highly scenic architecture, which seems to welcome the visitor with an embrace. In the recently restored rooms of the palace, you can see some furnishings from Vittorio Alfieri's birthplace and some objects that testify to the poet's literary activity, travels and passions. The bust of Vittorio Alfieri located in the courtyard unequivocally underlines the connection of the palace with the poet. It was placed here in 1923, when the palace was donated by Count Ottolenghi to the Municipality of Asti. Vittorio Alfieri lived in this palace until the age of five. He then moved to another house in Asti until the age of nine, and then to the Royal Academy of Turin to study. From there he undertook numerous trips to Europe, becoming a protagonist of the cultural, political and literary panorama of the time. He died in Florence on 8 October 1803. During his life he wrote nineteen tragedies, an autobiography and some treatises in defense of freedom against tyranny: an example is "On the Prince and Letters". The city cannot miss a center dedicated to the study of the life, works and cultural influence exerted by the great poet from Asti. The Center (established in 1937) deals with the organization of events and exhibitions dedicated to Vittorio Alfieri, as well as the publication of reprints and new critical works. It has two specialized libraries. The Eugenio Guglielminetti Foundation, established in 1998 by Maestro Eugenio Guglielminetti (Asti, 1921-2006), collects the testimonies of five decades of artistic, pictorial, sculptural and scenographic activity, alongside the collections of modern and contemporary authors.