Cossombrato: History, Churches and Gorghi

When planning a trip to Cossombrato, historic buildings, named excursion routes and a paleontological attraction at Gorghi offer distinct areas of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Cossombrato, this selection can help you decide what kind of stay you are looking for.

Castello dei Pelletta and its architectural history

Castello dei Pelletta has a semicircular main section with a round tower attached to it. Parts of the building date from the 14th century, while others date from the 17th and 18th centuries. These dates refer to parts of the castle, not to a single period of construction. Together with its described form, they provide a specific architectural and historical point of reference.

The recorded forms of the town’s name are also part of Cossombrato’s history: in the early Middle Ages, the town was known as Corsembrando or Corsembraldo. Both forms are documented in Asti archival records, the Codex Astensis and medieval chronicles. Beyond the building’s history, they offer a written historical perspective on the town.

Churches and traces of their history

Chiesa di Santo Stefano was built with the contribution of Count Gerolamo Pelletta between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Its two side altars were created in the early 18th century and are still visible today. The construction period and the later date of the altars can therefore be considered as separate points in time.

Chiesa della Madonna dell'Olmetto is first mentioned in the 14th century. Chiesa di San Rocco in Cossombrato dates from 1700 and was built to combat an animal epidemic that affected ruminants and pigs. Taken together, the churches reflect different historical connections: a first mention, a construction period with later-dated altars, and a specific construction year with a recorded reason.

Distinguishing excursion routes by their itineraries

The municipality lists the Cossombrato–Madonna Olmetto–Settime–Strada Ronchi–Cossombrato route as an excursion route. Since the route ends back in Cossombrato, it is a circular route. A second excursion route listed by the municipality runs from Cossombrato to Villa San Secondo. The difference is that the first route returns to its starting point, while Villa San Secondo is the destination of the second. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current route and conditions.

A stage of the cycling and hiking loop is a separate route: it passes the attractions Castello di Frinco and Castello di Cossombrato, as well as the viewpoint at Cossombrato’s parish church. This stage links two castles with a viewpoint and complements the excursion routes listed by the municipality with a cycling and hiking route.

Gorghi and its paleontological significance

The hamlet of Gorghi lies just outside the center of Cossombrato and is known for its natural history and paleontological significance. Fossils of marine and land animals have been found in the yellow sands typical of the Astian. Gorghi therefore offers a focus on the history of the Earth, while the castle and churches are viewed mainly in terms of their architectural form, dating and historical records. These different areas of interest offer you a range of ways to plan your stay around a particular theme.

Discover more destinations: Vigliano D'asti, Cessole, Cortiglione, Tonco, Casorzo, Capriglio, Casalotto, Cocconato

For the main travel overview: Asti.