Costigliole d'Asti - Bricco Lù

One of the most beautiful scenic and touristic places in Costigliole d'Asti is Bricco Lù. From the panoramic hill it's possible to enjoy an enchanting view of the whole Monferrato. The history of the Bricco, which in Piedmontese dialect indicates the very top of the hill, has very ancient, indeed legendary roots.

The legend of Bricco Lù tells that in a very remote time, in the most beautiful house of Bricco Borio, lived a beautiful girl named Gentucca. As soon as she reached the suitable age for marriage her suitors crowded, at the point that her father, not knowing who to choose among them, summoned them all and stated that whoever among them showed up with the best pair of oxen, on the night of Saint Lawrence fair, would have married his beautiful daughter.

This news reached even the most modest farmhouse, where the poor Poldo lived. Not knowing how to appear on August 11th before Gentucca, the desperate Poldo ended up invoking the help of devil. He appeared bringing him the best pair of oxen ever seen, yoked to a red cart, and put a golden sting in his hands. Suddenly, Poldo found himself in the midst of the noise of the fair, in the circle of rivals that opened quickly to his passage.

On the same evening, Gentucca married Poldo, who happily took her to his modest home of Bricco Lù, forgetting the pact made with the devil. A year later, on the night of Saint Lawrence, the devil returned to collect what Poldo had promised him: his soul. With a rumble a chasm was created that swallowed Poldo, the bewitched oxen and the golden sting. Gentucca, afflicted, died searching for her Poldo and since that night, every year in Saint Lawrence night, her spirit always returns to seek her husband kidnapped by the devil.