The Province of Asti is located in the center of Piedmont, a territory of hills crossed by the Tanaro River, with the province capital Asti right in the middle. The province is crossed by the so called Via Francigena, a network of itineraries followed since the early Middle Ages by pilgrims directed to Rome; this Via is sided by innumerable romanesque churches and abbeys. The hilly area called Monferrato is renowned for the quality of its wines, among them the moscato d'Asti, and the spumante, a typical fizzy wine used one festive occasions to toast.