For some historians, the town's name derives from the Latin "cum conatu", highlighting the difficulties faced to reach the main center, located as it is in an extremely harsh area. For others the name comes from "coccum" (height). A municipality in the province of Asti, located on the border with the territory of Turin, the village includes a number of districts. On to the main street, the ancient Contrada Maestra face palaces, important churches and an XVIII century pharmacy. It is famous for its gourmet products, including a robiola cheese and for its feasts such as the Palio, held every year in September and involves and inspires the whole population.
The first settlement was founded by the Ligurians in the valley, but when the area became unsafe, they abandoned the valley for the nearby hills. The Roman presence is attested by the City of Marcellina, which was located in the lower part of the valley. The new town of Cocconato was built around the castle of the Counts Radicati in the X century. The Radicati family, initially linked to the Bishop of Vercelli, then to Asti and finally to the Marquis of Monferrato, through an attentive study and careful strategies were able to create an independent state with its own currency. From 1480, for nearly a century, the town belonged to the Savoy. In the second half of the XVI century, during the wars between France and Spain, the castle submitted heavy damage and was partially destroyed. The next century was characterized by unfavorable events for the whole region and the town submitted a period of decline. The rebirth of the centre came with the conquest of the area by the troops of Napoleon, when Cocconato became the capital of area.
Not to miss:
- the Parish Church dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation, built in the late XVIII century, it preserves inside paintings by Moncalvo, an organ and a marble altar, both worth of note;
- the Church of the Holy Trinity of XVII century origins. It keeps inside a series of fine polychrome altars;
- the St. Catherine's Church with its valuable Baroque façade;
- the Church of Our Lady of Grace of the XIX century, situated in Maroero;
- the Church of San Bartolomeo;
- the Church of San Sebastian;
- the Church of San Defendente;
- the Church of Saints Peter and Paul;
- the Church of San Martino in Bonvino;
- the Church of San Grato in Tuffo;
- the XVIII century Pharmacy, which keeps inside the original furnishings and antique vases for the medical herbs;
- the Town Hall with its brick façade and Gothic-style portico, located in Piazza Statuto;
- the Tower, the only remains of the castle, as the walls were destroyed in the early XIX century;
- Palazzo Bottino Buffo.