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History of the Camino Castle
Camino Castle dates back to the 11th century. According to historical archives, the 44-metre high tower was built by the Aleramici and is said to be one of the highest towers in Monferrato.
As a result of its strategic location, the castle was not only an ideal observation post, but also a refuge for the people living on the plains. In fact, it is recorded, as early as 1100 A.D., that the population sought protection inside the castle walls, the remains of which can still be seen.
The castle belonged to the Bishops of Asti up until the 13th century and was later administered by the Marquises of Monferrato.
In 1323, Teodoro Paleologo, in debt and in need of money, handed over the ownership of Camino Castle to his brothers, Tommaso and Francesco Scarampi, who were merchants and bankers from Asti.
From 1323 to 1950, the castle remained in the hands of the Scarampi family from Villanova.
Several battles took place at Camino Castle. One of these, which occurred in 1400, was later described in Matteo Bandello’s thirteenth novel in a mixture of fact and fiction.
In the following centuries, the castle was attacked and invaded by various armies, especially in the 17th century during the Franco-Spanish war.
With regard to the architecture, various changes had already been made to the interior during the 16th century, but further alterations were carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries, such as the arched windows at the top of the tower, the addition of stone balconies to the façade and the eighteenth-century renovation of the main staircase and ballroom.
In the 19th century Ferdinando Scarampi restored the oldest part of the castle in order to build a large neo-Gothic dining room and a theatre above it decorated with frescoes showing episodes from “Don Quixote”. In the same century, a small chapel was built in one of the spacious courtyards, which is still consecrated today. Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I and Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy (Kings of Italy) were some of the guests at the castle and Mussolini inaugurated the Monferrato aqueduct from the castle balcony.
Thanks to its architectural modifications and its excellent state of preservation. makes Camino Castle not only unique, but also one of the most beautiful castles in Italy.