Torre Troiana

The tower overlooking Piazza Medici, also known as the Clock Tower, serves as a civic tower and is one of the city's symbols. It is undoubtedly one of the most impressive, perfectly completed, and best-preserved medieval towers in Piedmont. The tower's distinctive features include its 12 mullioned windows with round arches spread across three floors and the projecting terminal band consisting of three rows of alternating blind arches made of terracotta and sandstone. Originally, the tower topped with a terrace and dovetail battlements. Later, the lantern roof, which still stands today, was added. With a stairway of 199 steps leading to the battlements, the tower, rising from its 36.30-meter height (44 meters to the top of the lantern), offers a perfect panoramic view of the city. The construction likely dates back to the second half of the 13th century and was part of a fortified house of the Troia family. In the 15th century, with the extinction of the Troia family, the complex passed to the House of Savoy. Later, Emanuele Filiberto donated the palace to the Count of Camerano, reserving the use of the tower for the Town Hall. The civic bell was installed on the tower to ring the hours and other public announcements. The current bell dates back to 1531, making it one of the oldest bells in Piedmont still in use. The tower was recently restored and opened to the public. Open: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Last admission at 6:00 pm. The Smarticket is the combined ticket that allows access to the Tower and the other five sites of the Asti Museums Foundation; the ticket, valid for 7 days after first validation, can be purchased at Palazzo Mazzetti.