Montegrosso - The Castle

As is well known, the municipality of Montegrosso was originated as a consequence of an epidemic which spread in the valley of the river Tiglione in 1134. The survivors took refuge on the hills, thus creating the new settlement.

Later the Marquis Bonifacio del Vasto ordered here the construction of an imposing castle equipped with two high towers, which were then demolished in the same period when Federico Barbarossa, once descended in Italy, faced and destroyed Chieri and Asti.

In the fourteenth century the Commune participated in the political dispute between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, alternately supporting either side depending on convenience; this behavior involved numerous modifications to the castle's structures, for example to the battlements of the walls.

During 1300 also the pontificial legate Bertrando del Progetto established his residence in this building, and he housed here the future King of France Philip of Valois.

The feud later passed under the dominion of the Sforza in 1381, then it passed under both French and Spanish control, up to finally become part of the Savoy heritage in 1746.

The Castle is nowadays privately owned and houses a wine cellar.