Museo Alfieriano (Asti) - Piemonte Feel

Museums

Museo Alfieriano (Asti)

Category: History and archaeology

Asti

“Volli, e sempre volli, e fortissimamente volli” (I wanted, and always wanted, and fervently wanted). In these few lines lies the essence of poet and dramatist Vittorio Alfieri, who came from Asti. In him was stirring, ahead of his time, the romantic restlessness of the following century. Vittorio was an orphan and was entrusted to his cousin and guardian Benedetto Alfieri, the first civil architect of the king of Sardinia. The king found him accommodation in the palace that is now known as Palazzo Alfieri (Alfieri Palace), a medieval building right in the centre of Asti. The Palace now houses the Museo Alfieriano (Alfieri Museum), where, in about ten rooms, are kept the original furnishing of the time, enriched by around eighty engravings and lithographs made between the XVIII and the XIX century. The museum also houses certain memorabilia and curiosities - that Gozzano would describe as being “di pessimo gusto” (in very poor taste) - such as: a lock of hair cut from the Poet’s plait; a golden table clock in Louis XVI style, supported by a metal basket containing two small mice; the impression of a signet ring on sealing wax, portraying Dante Alighieri... everyday objects that the Countess of Albany, who was loved by the poet and celebrated in his poems, kept with loving care for her entire life.
 

Information

Corso Alfieri, 375 - 14100 Asti
Tel . +39.0141.538284