Cortiglione: Fossils, History and Summer Theatre

Cortiglione can be understood through three interests for a stay: geology and fossils, medieval local history, and theatre in the summer months. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these themes can shape the focus of your plans. The natural history leads to a specific paleontological site and to molluscs in coastal deposits; local history includes a ridge, castle remains and churches. The theatre series adds a seasonal cultural event.

Geology and fossils

The Geosito della Crociera di Cortiglione has been made accessible using nature-based engineering structures that protect its fossils. Access and fossil protection go hand in hand here: the structures provide access to the site while preserving the fossils. This makes the Geosito a specific point of interest for travellers interested in paleontology.

In Cortiglione, numerous molluscs, especially clams, can be observed in the coastal deposits known as the Sabbie di Asti. This offers another geological perspective alongside the Geosito: fossils and their protection take centre stage there, while here the focus is on the visible organisms in the deposits. The distinction is clear when choosing what interests you: a paleontological site on the one hand, clams and other molluscs on the other.

A natural history excursion

The municipality of Cortiglione offers several excursions each year under the title “A spasso tra colline, orti, fossili e... zafferano”. One of these excursions follows an approximately five-kilometre nature trail through the woods to a paleontological site, which you can visit on the occasion with an expert guide. The approximate distance refers to the woodland trail; the expert-guided visit is part of the excursion.

Medieval local history and churches

The town’s history has a clear topographical connection: Cortiglione developed in the Middle Ages along a ridge where a castle once stood. Historical sights include the ruins of the medieval castle. The ridge locates the town’s medieval development, while the ruins recall the former site of the castle.

The churches also offer different historical points of reference. The Chiesa di San Siro dates from the 15th century; the Madonna di Fátima church was formerly known as the Chiesa dei Battuti or Chiesa della Trinità. For San Siro, the emphasis is on its date; for Madonna di Fátima, on its former names. These earlier names help you recognise the church in older references as well. The town’s history and the dating of San Siro offer different chronological points of reference; the former names of Madonna di Fátima add a history of names to these details.

Theatre in the summer months

During the summer months, Cortiglione hosts a theatre series that has gradually welcomed theatre groups from across the province of Asti. The programme adds a specific cultural event to the natural history and historical themes, and ties it to the summer months. If a performance or the expert-guided visit is the reason for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Cantarana, Scurzolengo, Frinco, Capriglio, Quarto, Castelnuovo Belbo, San Martino Alfieri, Nizza Monferrato.

For the wider travel overview: Asti.