Description
At the western end of the ancient decumanus maximus, along Corso Alfieri, stands the Torre Rossa, one of the oldest monuments in Asti.
Built during the first century AD as part of the western gateway of the Roman town, the tower probably takes its name from the De Rubeis family. Its structure reveals three distinct phases of construction: the sixteen-sided polygonal Roman base, the extension added during the eleventh century and the twelfth-century bell chamber. The latter is a fine example of Romanesque architecture, characterised by alternating courses of brick and sandstone.
The tower served as the bell tower of the former Romanesque Church of San Secondo della Torre Rossa, which was entrusted to the Servite Friars in 1550.
By 1732, the medieval church had fallen into serious disrepair. The friars therefore arranged for its demolition and the construction of the present Baroque Church of Santa Caterina, which was consecrated in 1773.
Tradition associates this site with the imprisonment of San Secondo before his martyrdom, giving the tower both spiritual and architectural significance.
Beside the tower, a short section of Asti’s imposing medieval walls can still be seen. Between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, the city constructed more than seven kilometres of fortifications. Today, a section approximately 52 metres long survives in Piazza Santa Caterina.
Standing an average of ten metres high, this stretch of wall was uncovered during the 1930s, when buildings that had gradually been constructed against it were demolished.
Once a monumental entrance to Asti for travellers arriving from Turin, the area now bears witness to the power of the medieval commune and to the city’s commitment to preserving its fortified heritage.
A continuous stretch of the north-western walls also survives near Piazza Lugano, while other sections have been incorporated into the modern urban fabric.