San Michele: History, Buildings and Local Specialties

San Michele on the Edge of the High Plateau

San Michele and Dusino are both located on the edge of the Villanova d’Asti high plateau, before the terrain slopes down toward the valleys of the Traversola and Stanavasso streams. A high plateau is a relatively flat, elevated landform; a valley is a lower-lying landscape between elevations. A stream is a smaller flowing body of water.

In the municipal area of Dusino San Michele, the signposted Cammino di Rino is a trail that begins at the site where the fossil skeleton was found. A complete skeleton of a prehistoric rhinoceros (Rhinoceros etruscus) was found in the area of the municipality of Dusino San Michele. A fossil skeleton is a preserved body remnant from a very distant period of Earth’s history; the animal found is identified as the prehistoric rhinoceros of the species Rhinoceros etruscus. Here, prehistoric refers to a period before recorded written history. The Italian term Cammino means path, while the signposting refers to marking by trail signs. For a hike, orientation is based on the starting point and the trail signs along the Cammino di Rino.

Historic Places and Buildings

The castle on the main square of San Michele was built in the 14th century and later redesigned in the Gothic Revival style. Gothic Revival refers to a later architectural movement that drew on forms of medieval Gothic architecture.

The Church of San Michele dates predominantly from the 13th century and has a semicircular apse with medieval lancet windows. An apse is the usually semicircular termination of a church interior; lancet windows are narrow, pointed window forms. The parish church dedicated to Saint Michael is said to have been the church around which the village developed in the mid-12th century. For those interested in culture, the church with its apse and lancet windows offers a different architectural focus from the castle redesigned in the Gothic Revival style.

The first records of San Michele date from the 12th century. At that time, the bishop gave the place to the Benedictine nuns of Sant’Anastasio d’Asti.

Castello Raggi and Park

In the San Michele district, Castello Raggi was transformed into a stately residence. Castello Raggi retains parts of its medieval fabric, and the Castello Raggi estate includes a park. A stately residence is a representative home of a noble or princely ruler; building fabric refers to the structural components of a building. A park is a landscaped or planted green area. At Castello Raggi, the medieval building fabric and the associated park are separate elements of the same site.

Local Specialties

The “cossot,” a zucchini from Dusino San Michele, has De.Co. certification (Denominazione Comunale). A zucchini is an immaturely harvested form of the garden squash; zucchinis belong to the gourd family. “Cussot e gugalè” is a local dish made with gnocchi and zucchini. Gnocchi are small dumplings, usually prepared from potatoes or dough. For those interested in regional cuisine, the certified “cossot” and “Cussot e gugalè” place a vegetable and a dish at the center of attention.

To the broader travel overview: Asti.