Alba Basics

Alba predates the Roman civilization and was connected to Celtic and Ligurian tribes in the local region. The town is on the site of Alba Pompeia, founded by Roman consul Gnaeus Pompepeius Strabo while constructing a road from Aquae Statiellae (Acqui) to Augusta Taurinorium (Torino). It is the birthplace of Publius Helvius Pertinax, the shortest reigning Roman Emperor. After the fall of the Empire, it was repeatedly sacked by Burgundians, Lombards and Franks. In the 11th century, it became a free commune (city state) and was a member of the Lombar League. Montferrat and the Visconti fought over it and it later became possession of the House of Gonzoga. Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy conquered it twice while later France and Spain battled for its possession. The Treaty of Cherasco assigned Alba definitively to Savoy. In October 1944, it was liberated by partisans who established the republic of Alba, for a few weeks not under the fascist dictatorship of Salo. Asti and Alba are considered twin cities.