Castello di Costigliole d'Asti

In 1041 he was recognized by Arrigo III as possession of the Church of Asti, then passed to the jurisdiction of Boniface del Vasto and in 1198 he was occupied by Asti, giving citizens true statutory norms that had vigor for a long time (Code Malabaila).

After 1255, the castle became a war seat against Charles I of Anjou and then against William VII of Monferrato and was later disputed in the internal struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines.

In 1315 the Ghibelline were cast out by Asti and, thanks to the chestnut Sandrono Asinari, they managed to occupy the castle. In 1620 Amelio Asinari appointed his daughter Ottavia, wife of Giovanni Antonio Verasis, as heir, who was appointed count of half of Costigliole in 1621, with the obligation to assume the name and arms of the Asinari family.

Ottavio III acquired rights over the other half in 1658, making many changes to structures.

In 1775, King Vittorio Amedeo III celebrated his visit to the castle and in 1821 he hosted Marquis Carlo Asinari and other liberals before exile due to constitutional movements.

In July 1854 he arrived, married to Francesco Verasis, Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione.

Currently the northern wing is owned by the municipality, while the south wing is owned by a well-known family descended from the Medici del Vascello.

The latter, in 2025, has restored the red color around the crosses, windows and garits of the castle, bringing them back to ancient splendor. Also the bovindo on the side of the church square, has undergone an important restoration work.

Built on the top of the fortress of Costigliole, a square plan of 60 meters on the side, with a height of 25 meters and with the four towers that arrive at 28 meters, is one of the most imposing castles of Astigiano.

A stone placed on the front of a secondary door recalls the work done by Corrado Asinari in 1582. In the west, a large door opens onto a staircase, by Filippo Juvarra, which varies depending on the floor to which it is accessed. The west side has an entrance portal on a bilateral staircase, equipped with parapet and pedestals, with the marble coat of arms of the Asinari family.

South is a hanging garden and the facade is displayed with two central medieval towers, among which primes the drawbridge. On the façade, between the windows of the penultimate floor, two marble statues representing Aurelio and Giorgio Verasis Asinari are embellished with warriors.