Costigliole Saluzzo – History, Frescoes and Wine Tradition

Costigliole Saluzzo at the entrance to the Varaita Valley

At the entrance to the Varaita Valley, Costigliole Saluzzo combines historical culture with wine tradition and agricultural characteristics. The municipality promotes hiking and cycling routes through the town and the surrounding hills. The area therefore extends from the town itself to the surrounding hills, while hiking and cycling are the two expressly promoted forms of activity.

History in walls and palaces

Via Porta Grafiona follows the course of Costigliole Saluzzo’s old fortification walls, which were destroyed in 1487. A small statue can be seen on the façade of a house on the same Via Porta Grafiona. It was probably originally a tomb slab. The small statue on the house façade therefore relates to a different architectural feature than the former fortifications: it is attached to a single house on the same street.

Castello Rosso was built on the ruins of the ancient Castello dei Costanzia and completed by the Counts Crotti around 1625. Its architectural form is defined by a polygonal floor plan protected by three corner towers. On the second upper floor of Castello Rosso there is a rare fresco attributed to Hans Clemer, the so-called Maestro d’Elva, and dated to the late 15th century. The three corner towers are positioned at the corners of the polygonal floor plan and form its protected corner points. The completion is dated to around 1625, while the fresco is dated to the late 15th century.

The present Palazzo Sarriod de La Tour was created through a long series of alterations to a simple tower house.

Frescoes and religious art

In the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a series of monochrome frescoes is visible in the attic. The fresco cycle depicts several episodes from the life of Mary Magdalene before her conversion.

The cemetery chapel of the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena also contains a “Cristo di Pietà”, attributed to the Flemish painter Hans Clemer. The two works in the parish church are located in different areas: the frescoes are in the attic, while the “Cristo di Pietà” is in the cemetery chapel.

Quagliano and agricultural characteristics

The Sagra dell’Uva Quagliano is part of the area’s local character. The Pro Loco of Costigliole Saluzzo organizes it as its main activity for promoting the area; it takes place on the last Sunday in September.

The grapes used for Quagliano red wine are grown on a short strip of hills extending as far as nearby Busca. This wine tradition is complemented by Costigliole’s typical round apricot. It is produced in small orchards managed by families since the 19th century. The vineyards and orchards thus represent two distinct agricultural foundations of the area.

More destinations for planning your trip

Vergne, Bastia Mondovì, Roà Marenca, Bagnolo Piemonte, Mompiano De Trezzo Tinella, Prazzo Superiore, Villa San Pietro, Elva

To the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.