Torre Rossa (Asti) - Piemonte Feel

Buildings of historical importance

Torre Rossa (Asti)

Category: Buildings of historical importance

Asti

This beautiful tower, 31 meters high and with a polygonal base, is known as Torre Romana (Roman Tower) because its construction began in the 1st century A.D., Torre Rossa (Red Tower) because of its color, and as Torre di San Secondo because popular legend has it that San Secondo, patron saint of the city of Asti, was held prisoner within those walls before he was executed in 119 A.D.
The Tower, built during later periods, has a base that is Roman in origin and it is very possible that it was one of the two entrance gates in city walls. It is interesting to note the strong resemblance between this structure and the Torre Palatina in Torino near the Duomo or the praetorial one in Aosta. During medieval times, two floors were added to the existing structure in order to elevate it, until, in the 12th century, it was used as a bell tower for the nearby church of Santa Caterina. Inside the tower, is the statue of San Secondo, once kept in an underground cell, today closed, where, as legend has it, there “are two miraculous springs made to gush forth by Jesus, who came to comfort his martyr…”
 

Information

Torre Rossa
Not open to the public
Corso Alfieri, 426 - 14100 Asti
Tel. +39.0141.399489 - Fax: +39.0141.399507
E-mail: musei@comune.asti.it
www.mauriziano.it