Alessandria & Borsalino, non solo una storia di cappelli: in bici alla scoperta dei luoghi legati al grande marchio della moda italiana

The Borsalino Route is a tribute to the figure of Giuseppe Borsalino, a great entrepreneur and patron of the arts whose name has always been in the hearts of Alessandria residents for having brought Alessandria to international prominence thanks to the creation of the symbol of Alessandria par excellence: the Borsalino Hat.

Starting from the beautiful Palazzo Rosso in Piazza della Libertà, In Alessandria, we'll travel a short stretch of Via San Giacomo della Vittoria (which overlooks the historic Galleria Guerci) and then turn right onto Via Modena.
After a short stretch of Via Modena, we'll arrive at Alessandria's main street, Corso Roma, where, among the various shops lining the entire Corso, we'll also find the historic Borsalino hat shop, which has been here since the beginning of its history.

At the end of Corso Roma, we'll find ourselves facing the scenic Piazza Garibaldi, flanked by the public gardens (where you can still admire the old aqueduct built by Borsalino). We can't help but notice the building with the clock, formerly owned by the Borsalino family. Having completed the entire perimeter of the square (halfway along which Via Lanza, home to the former Borsalino Educational Center, overlooks), we will enter Corso 100 Cannoni. At the intersection with Via Cavour, on the right, we will see the Amedeo Avogadro University, housed in a wing of the former Borsalino factory, and on the left, Villa Borsalino/Usuelli. We return to Piazza della Libertà after having walked the entire length of Via Cavour and, from here, we will walk along the entire length of Via Mazzini, starting from the monumental Palazzo delle Poste. The route continues along a continuous straight line on Viale Milite Ignoto (at the end of Via Mazzini, passing the roundabout), which will continue by crossing the Tanaro River at km 4.4. After the bridge, we will immediately turn right towards Valle San Bartolomeo. Once in town, at the intersection we'll turn right towards Montecastello/Pietra Marazzi, follow the road for 1.4 km and then turn left onto Via della Curetta. From this point, the route begins to climb up the hillside, and after another 1.4 km we'll reach the top of the hill where we'll turn first right and then immediately left, where we'll find ourselves on a long, somewhat steep descent (San Defendente road) that will take us to the village of Pietra Marazzi. From the center of town, we'll turn left onto Via San Boniforte and immediately arrive at Strada Comunale Bricchi, a beautiful panoramic road offering several truly evocative views. At a certain point, the asphalt road gives way to a dirt road, and after passing a riding stable (at km 11.9), we'll find ourselves back on the asphalt road at the first intersection on Strada della Serra (at km 12.7). We'll turn right, and after about 300 meters, we'll come to another intersection. Here, we'll take the country road in front of us (a continuation of Strada della Serra), which we'll follow to its end for 1.4 km. We'll find the asphalt road again at km 14.6, and here we'll turn right towards Pecetto, the birthplace of Giuseppe Borsalino. Once in town, we'll follow the signs for the center in Piazza Italia, the town hall. In the center of the square (very close to Via del Castello, where Giuseppe Borsalino was born), we'll find the statue dedicated to the illustrious figure famous throughout the world. From here, we'll set off again to return to Alessandria. From the square, we'll follow the signs for the sports field, and once we've passed the kindergarten on our right, we'll turn left onto Strada del Gabbiano, a lovely uphill dirt road that we'll follow to the end. Near the intersection with the asphalt road, we'll continue straight down the slope in front of us onto Strada Citerna until we reach the bottom of the slope onto Strada Coggiola Falamera, which we'll follow by turning left. At the stop sign at the top of the road, we'll turn right along the downhill road, which we'll follow for about 800 meters before leaving the road and turning right (onto a road found after a long hedge) onto Via Valmigliaro. After about 1.4 km, near a large sports center, we'll leave Via Valmigliaro to take the dirt road that begins on our left near the bend.

The dirt road we just took is The route is approximately 700 meters long and ends in Via Profumati, which we will take by turning left. At km 24.6, we will first turn left onto Strada Cerca and then (after about 4,000 meters) right onto Via dei Preti. At km 26.5 (exactly at the end of Via Preti), we will find ourselves in front of the Teresio Borsalino rehabilitation center. Here, turning left, we will cross the Tanaro River again to retrace our steps along Viale Milite Ignoto. Then, after the second roundabout, we will turn right into Piazza Divina Provvidenza, where we will find the institute of the same name, built thanks also to the patronage of Teresio Borsalino, son of Giuseppe. The route is almost over, and after turning left onto Via Donizetti, we will ride along Via Guasco, which will take us back to Piazza della Libertà. Before getting off the bike for good, it is absolutely essential to stop and take a break. It's an absolute must to stop in Piazza Santa Maria del Castello, which we reach by turning right halfway down Via Guasco along Via Schiavina, where, more than 150 years ago, in a small workshop, the fantastic story of Giuseppe Borsalino began.

Edited by Ivan Reitano

• Red Palace - Liberty Square - Alessandria
• Ghilini Palace - Liberty Square - Alessandria
• Post Office Building and Severini Mosaic - Liberty Square - Alessandria
• Palatium Vetus - Liberty Square - Alessandria
• ACDB Bicycle Museum c/o Palazzo Monferrato - Via San Giacomo della Vittoria - Alessandria
• Guerci Gallery (between Via San Giacomo della Vittoria and Via San Lorenzo)
• Church of Santa Maria del Carmine - Via Guasco, Alessandria
• Church of Santa Maria del Castello - Piazza Santa Maria del Castello, Alessandria
• Historic Borsalino Store on Corso Roma - Alessandria
• Borsalino Aqueduct - Public Gardens (Corso Crimea side) - Alessandria
• Former Borsalino Educational Center - (currently the headquarters of the local police) - Via Lanza, Alessandria
• Piazza Garibaldi
• Wing of the historic Borsalino factory (now the Amedeo Avogadro University) - Via Cavour (corner of Corso 100 Cannoni)
• Villa Borsalino/Usuelli - Via Cavour - Alessandria
• Borsalino Rehabilitation Center - (Former Borsalino Sanatorium) - Piazzale Ravazzoni 3 - Alessandria
• Divina Provvidenza Teresa Michel Institute - Piazza Divina Provvidenza, Alessandria
• Statue of Giuseppe Borsalino - Piazza Italia - Pecetto
• Pecetto Fortress with Botanical Garden and Astronomical Park - Pecetto

Please note: Always wear a helmet, even when it's not mandatory. Before setting off, always let someone know about your chosen route. If possible, bring a GPS and a cell phone, and a water bottle always full of water. If the distance is challenging, bring a spare snack/energy bar. Dress appropriately. It's best to always wear layers and a windproof rain jacket to keep in your jersey pocket. Always wear shorts with a seat pad. Comfort is essential for having fun and enjoying the ride. It's always advisable to rely on a capable, local guide who can keep up to date with any changes in trail conditions, which may vary from the time Piemontescape.com conducted its checks and updates.