Castello di Cassano Spinola

The village of Cassano is mentioned for the first time in a diploma dating back 1014 that confirmed some possessions in the area at the Abbey of Lucedio. The presence of a castle with a court and fortifications is instead confirmed in a donation dated 1149 where the Cassanese donated goods to the municipality of Tortona.^[1][2]

In the 12th century, the building is mentioned among the various castles that the municipality of Pavia was committed to returning to Tortona because of the peace between the city and Emperor Federico Barbarossa in 1883, possession which was subsequently confirmed in 1220.^[1][2]

Originally the castle was owned by the De Cassano family, feudal lords whose presence on the territory of cassanese is documented in the 12th century;^[2] Later, from 1313, it was the Spinola family who took possession of the fief and kept control of the castle until the extinction of the local family branch in 1787.^[3]

It is believed that the castle suffered several damages due to the various wars that affected the opposite sides Asti, Alessandria and Tortona at the end of the thirteenth century;^[1][2] Later, during the 15th century, under the influence of Visconti and Sforza, the complex reached its maximum development taking on forms and characteristics of Lombard fortresses of the time.^[3]

In 1499 the French troops of Cassano besieged and plundered the village, causing huge damage to the castle and the fortified system,^[1][2] event that caused the progressive decline of the manor and its fall into ruin.^[3]

The last description of the complex dates back to 1753, in which two internal courtyards were noted, service facilities, apartments and administrative rooms including prisons and pretorio.^[3]

After the extinguishing of the House of Spinola in 1787, the castle was gradually abandoned and then dismantled in 1805.^[3]

The castle occupied the top of a dominant height the village of Cassano Spinola and its original structure was probably made up of a tower surrounded by a defensive wall system. Over the centuries the structure developed by taking the typical forms of a fortress of Lombard culture with towers, powerful walls, massive doors and a drawbridge. In particular, a 1594 depiction showed the castle with merlate corner towers and imposing defensive walls. In addition, at the foot of the complex, a fortified reception was developed, used by the population in case of war.^[3]

Currently the castle remains only some sections of the perimeter walls.^[3]

• Rosella Seren Rosso, The castles of Piemonte. The provinces of Asti and Alessandria, Cavallermaggiore, Gribaudo, 2000, ISBN 9788880581628.

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