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Costigliole d'Asti medieval castle, renovated over the centuries, is part of the Castelli Aperti network in southern Piedmont.
Recognized in 1041 by Emperor Henry III as property of the Church of Asti, the castle later passed through various rulers, including Bonifacio del Vasto. It was taken by the city of Asti in 1198, introducing long-standing statutes (Malabaila Code). In the 13th–14th centuries, it was a strategic site in regional conflicts, including Guelph-Ghibelline struggles.
From 1315, under the Asinari family, the castle changed hands and was expanded. By 1658, Ottavio III Asinari unified full ownership and renovated it. It later hosted notable figures like King Victor Amadeus III in 1775, liberal exiles in 1821, and Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione, in 1854.
Today, the northern wing belongs to the municipality, while the southern wing is owned by descendants of the Medici del Vascello family.
Built atop Costigliole’s hilltop, the castle has a square layout (60m sides, 25m tall, with towers reaching 28m). Notable features include a 1582 inscription, a staircase by Filippo Juvarra, and a grand west entrance with the Asinari coat of arms.
The southern side has a hanging garden and two central medieval turrets flanking a drawbridge. Between upper windows stand marble statues of Aurelio and Giorgio Verasis Asinari in warrior attire.