Mermet Sferisterio

The Sferisterio Mermet is the iconic “balon” pitch in Alba: a long strip of beaten earth flanked by a very high wall, with stands very close to the pitch, now incorporated into the city centre.

It was founded in the mid-nineteenth century when, for reasons of public order, matches in the squares were banned: Alessandro Mermet made land available and supported the construction, designed by the mayor and architect Giorgio Busca.

The public concession dates back to 1854, and the first matches were played between 1855 and 1857. Originally designed for pallone col bracciale (a type of ball with a bracelet) and later for pallapugno (a type of ball with a fist), it is considered one of the oldest sports facilities still in use in Italy, and among the longest-running in Europe. On championship afternoons, the echo of banging on the wall and the comments from the sidelines are part of the spectacle: a popular arena where sport, memory, and the Langhe identity meet. Since 2018, a foundation of enthusiasts has been overseeing its revitalization.