Alessandria is a city that houses one of the best-preserved 17th-century fortresses in Europe. In its vicinity, in 1800, the Battle of Marengo was fought, which determined the annexation of this part of Piedmont to France.
Due to its strategic location, the history of Alessandria has been linked to the army since the Middle Ages. Initially, there was a 12th-century castle here, which in 1174 resisted the siege of the army of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. According to legend, the siege was abandoned as a result of a trick by one of the peasants, Gagliaudo, whose statue stands today in the square in front of the cathedral.
In the 17th century, when Alessandria was in the territory of the Kingdom of Sardinia, a fortress was built here on a star plan. The Citadel of Alessandria is the city's greatest attraction. It has been preserved almost intact and is one of the most important military monuments of Piedmont. There are, among others, Uniform Museum. In the city you can also visit the Museum of the Battle of Marengo.
