The name derives from the Latin "ad nonum, roughly the distance, nine miles on the old Via Fulvia, that divides the town from Asti. It is a municipality in the province of Asti, whose territories border with those of the province's main center and is crossed by the river Tanaro. Departure point for Interesting excursions between the several surrounding districts and hamlets and walks in contact with local environment between the hills.
The center has Roman origins, but the discovery of interesting finds from Prehistoric times, evidence that the area was inhabited since ancient times. Thanks to its naturally protected location on a hillsides and its position near the main road, during the medieval period it became a focal point for trading. In the X century the town was chosen by Berengario I, Count of Asti, as the site to build a castle to defend it. Frederick Barbarossa proclaimed it Castellania to exert his control over the whole region. The nearby marshy plain was made fertile by the work of Benedictine monks: the town was surrounded by fortified walls and it citizens were granted the rights to have their own statute. The town submitted the domain of the Duchy of Milan and was directly involved in the wars of succession, as it was located between the territories of the Marquis of Monferrato and those of the Savoy. During this period the town suffered harsh attacks, in which it was severely damaged and the castle destroyed. In the early XVIII century it became part of the dominions of Savoy

Not to miss:
- the Parish Church of Santa Maria delle Ghiare dating from the XVII century, still features parts of the original building in Romanesque style with a classical façade embellished with rosette windows and topped by a pediment. The Bell tower, located at the rear, is surmounted by a spire. Inside it preserves a fine polychrome marble altar, which belonged to the ancient monastery of Azzano and was donated to the church by the French Government;
- the late XVIII century Palazzo Medici del Vascello;
- the XX century Town Hall;
- the Forest Oasis on the Lake, home of protected animals and secular trees.