Palazzo Ottolenghi, Monferrato Travel Guide

Palazzo Ottolenghi, located on Corso Vittorio Alfieri in Asti, is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture. Originally known as Palazzo Gabutti, its origins are somewhat mysterious, with the exact construction date remaining uncertain. By the early 18th century, the building was divided into two adjacent palaces, one belonging to the Gabutti family and the other to the Ramelli family.In 1754, Count Giuseppe Antonio Gabutti acquired the adjoining property and commissioned architect Benedetto Alfieri to transform the construction into a single building. The palace has witnessed significant historical events, including a stopover by Pope Pius VII in 1815 after the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte; the room in which he stayed is still defined as the papal chamber. For years, Palazzo Ottolenghi served as the grandstand for authorities during the Palio di Asti horse race.In 1851, Jacob Sanson, an officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy from the influential Jewish Ottolenghi family, purchased the palace. The Ottolenghi family modernized the palace in the Empire style, replacing the furnishings with those in the Napoleon III style. In 1932, the family donated it to the city of Asti. Today, the palace houses municipal offices and is used for conferences and exhibitions.The palace also houses the Museum of the Risorgimento, showcasing paintings of battles, banners, weapons and memorabilia from Italy's unification. Visitors can also explore an air-raid shelter built in 1943, providing insight into the city's history between the World Wars. The museum is designed to be accessible, with multimedia stations for those with reduced mobility and visual-tactile stations for the blind.