Castino
Welcome to Castino: a town in the hills of Piedmont
Castino is a small town in Piedmont with a population of 462 people. It is located in the province of Cuneo and offers visitors the beauty of its hills, the tranquility of the countryside, and the richness of local history.
Physical geography
Castino is situated on a ridge that overlooks and divides the valleys of Bormida di Millesimo and Belbo. The town centre is located at the southernmost point, only 1 km away from the territory of Cortemilia, from Rocchetta Belbo to the north, from Perletto and Vesime (in the province of Asti) to the east, and from the territory of Cossano Belbo to the west without directly bordering it.
Origins of the name
The origin of the name Castino remains a mystery. There are several theories about it. It could derive from the surname of a Roman official named "Castus," or from the word "castrum" (a small encampment), or still from the word "Castaneum," which means "chestnut."
History
During World War II, Castino experienced significant moments of the Italian Resistance, making it a symbolic place for many partisans.
Monuments and places of interest
The town offers several interesting religious architectures, including the parish church of Santa Margherita, the church of San Rocco, the church of the Annunciation, the church of San Bovo, and the chapel of Sant'Elena.
Society
The demographic evolution of the town has been constant, and today Castino has a community of about 462 people. In 2017, there were 75 foreign residents, mainly from Romania.
Culture
The local culture is mainly centered around the works of Beppe Fenoglio and Cesare Pavese, two important Piedmontese writers. During the summer and autumn months, the town organizes various cultural events and theatrical performances that draw large crowds.
Events
One of the most important events in the town is the "Festa del fiore," held every first Sunday of May, which consists of a flower and plant market, followed by a parade of floral floats in the afternoon.
Anthropogenic geography
The territory of Castino includes several fractions, some to the right of the Belbo river, such as La Vernetta, Campetto, San Martino, and Cane, and others to the left, such as San Bovo.
La Vernetta is located on the hill westward toward Bosia, and Campetto is 3.7 km away from the town and is characterized by the presence of several agriturismi and close to several historic buildings. The fraction of San Martino, on the other hand, boasts an ancient and suggestive monastery, while Cane is approximately 2.5 km away from the town and takes its name from the homonymous family.
San Bovo is located 8 km away from the town and is a very extensive frazione, characterized by the presence of historic buildings and situated a short distance from Rocchetta Belbo.
In summary, Castino is a small but welcoming town, immersed in the beauty of Piedmontese nature and culture, where it is possible to experience moments of tranquility and learn about local history.
