This is a historic village believed to be in the possession of the Azione family, probably from Modena, as far back as the 10th century.
The following century this family donated the land to the church of Pavia, which granted it to the Monks of Torre Rossa in Asti. It then passed to the powerful Pelletta family of Asti in 1314. When this family died out, part of the estate passed to the countess of Favria, then to the count of Govone, who, on his death, bequeathed 850 leagues of land to the holy order of SS. Maurizio e Lazzaro, which in 1860 sold off the property in lots. This spelt the end of the Cortazzone estate and the beginning of small-holdings. The village and castle were seriously damaged by the French in 1706, during the Spanish wars of succession. The Medieval castle was rebuilt in the 1700’s and 1800’s, and what remains today is the ruined ancient square tower and parts of the walls. Cortazzone had various lords over the centuries and was also hotly defended Papal land, until the signing of the 1741 agreement between Benedict XIV and Carlo Emanuele III, after which it passed to the province of Asti, under Savoy dominion. This was a source of great regret for the inhabitants, who lost all their special rights, including right of asylum, which had made Cortazzone a safe haven for any on the run from the law.

The commune covers an area of 10.37 sq km of gentle green hills, at an average altitude of 250 m a.s.l., with a population of 620.
There are around 20 km of main roads and farm lanes to enjoy a quiet walk, bike ride or trek in the country. On the roads leading to the hamlets there are many little shrines and a total of seven field chapels, dating back to between the 17th and 19th centuries.
At various roadside points there are also interesting collections of fossilised seashells to observe.
The village offers spectacular views, depending on the direction and look-out point: the red castle lit up at sunset, or the parish church with its warm Neogothic terracotta façade and bell tower dominating this particularly attractive village.
Despite its various different industries the economy of Cortazzone is still mainly based on agriculture, though there are fewer vineyards than in the past: the main crops are corn, forage and poplar wood.
Particular care is taken of the truffle-bearing areas, which yield products, including the prized white truffle (tuber magnatum), second to none in terms of quality.
As for local trades, the area is traditionally known for and specialised in building, carpentry and smithing, and now there are also firms operating in mechanical engineering, electricity, plumbing and specialised industrial processes.

ROMANESQUE CHIESA DI SAN SECONDO – National Monument – 11th century

One of Piedmont’s Romanesque treasures, beautifully set in the surrounding landscape, lies waiting for visitors, as it awaited pilgrims who came to rest here in past centuries. Indeed the horizontal line of seashells above the double stone archway at the main entrance indicated that San Secondo was on the route of the Via Francigena.
The church still preserves its ancient charm.
The austere interior is comprised of three naves which end in the apse. In the central apse there is a fourteenth century fresco showing Christ the teacher sitting between San Gerolamo cardinale and San Secondo martire, patron saint of Cortazzone. The sculptures on the capitals of the columns and pillars are all different; while the exterior is ornately decorated on the south side and apse too, with a chequered band, a series of hanging arches and beautiful windows. The prolific creativity of the Romanesque artists who sculpted figures and animals, cornices, cablework, friezes and floral motifs make San Secondo in Cortazzone a precious example of Medieval symbology. This is a place visitors often return to time and time again, after the splendour of the initial impact, to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a site which testifies to a millennium of the Christian faith.