Castello di Camino, Camino

Private property, not accessible for tourists

Magnificent castle, one of the most impressive in Monferrato, both for its dominant position on the built-up area of ​​Camino and for the very tall and slender central tower. Its origin dates back to the 11th century, so much so that inside a plaque bears the year 1010 as the date of foundation. Wanted by the Aleramici, it subsequently passed into the hands of the Marquises of Monferrato. In the 13th century, the investiture of the castle and the fief of Camino was granted to the Scarampi, a wealthy family of bankers from Asti, who owned the fortress until 1952. It was the work of Ferdinando, the last of the Scarampi to reside in the manor, the renovation in neo-Gothic sense implemented during the nineteenth century; previously, significant extensions had been made in the 15th century. In the course of its millenary history there has been no lack of bloody events: in 1434 Costantino Aranite, governor of Casale Monferrato, besieged the fortress and subsequently had Scarampo Scarampi beheaded, stained by too many bullying against the nearby fiefs.