# Castel Rocchero > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q17777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17777) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Rocchero) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/castel-rocchero ## Summary Castel Rocchero is a small Italian comune (municipality) located in the Province of Asti in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is situated in the wine-producing area of Piedmont, known for its Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti productions. The comune represents one of the 6,000+ municipal divisions that form the administrative structure of Italy, operating under the governance of the Piedmont regional system. ## Key Facts - **Official Name:** Castel Rocchero - **Type:** Comune (Italian municipal division) - **Location:** Province of Asti, Piedmont region, Italy - **Country:** Italy — sovereign state in Southern Europe - **Regional Context:** Piedmont (Piemonte) — one of Italy's 20 regions - **Coordinates:** 44.719166666667° N latitude, 8.4163888888889° E longitude - **Population:** 379–406 residents (varying census figures) - **Administrative Classification:** Part of the provincial system of Italy - **Wikipedia Title:** Castel Rocchero - **Wikidata Description:** Italian comune - **Sitelink Count:** 52 (Wikipedia multilingual connections) - **Parent Entity:** Comune of Italy — municipal divisions of Italy - **Country Entity:** Italy — Southern European country with 404 sitelinks ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Castel Rocchero?** Castel Rocchero is an Italian comune, which is the smallest administrative division in Italy. Comuni function as local governments and are the fundamental building blocks of Italy's territorial organization, similar to municipalities or townships in other countries. **Where is Castel Rocchero located geographically?** Castel Rocchero is situated in northwestern Italy within the Province of Asti, which is part of the Piedmont region. Its coordinates place it at approximately 44.72° N latitude and 8.42° E longitude, positioning it in the southern portion of Piedmont near the border between the Asti and Alessandria provinces. **What region and province does Castel Rocchero belong to?** Castel Rocchero belongs to the Piedmont region (Piemonte) and the Province of Asti. Piedmont is one of Italy's 20 regions and is known for its mountainous terrain, vineyards, and industrial cities including Turin. The Province of Asti is specifically noted for its sparkling wine production. **What is the population of Castel Rocchero?** Castel Rocchero has a small population ranging between 379 and 406 residents according to available census data. This places it among Italy's smaller comuni, which range from hamlets of a few dozen people to cities of hundreds of thousands. **What is the relationship between Castel Rocchero and Italy?** Castel Rocchero is a constituent municipality within the Republic of Italy, a sovereign parliamentary republic established on June 18, 1946, following the Italian constitutional referendum. Italy is a founding member of the European Union and is organized into 20 regions, 110 provinces, and approximately 7,904 comuni, of which Castel Rocchero is one. ## Why It Matters Castel Rocchero, while small in population, represents the granular administrative structure that defines Italy's governance system. The comune is the fundamental unit of local administration in Italy, responsible for civil registration, local planning, municipal services, and representing citizens' interests at the local level. Understanding Castel Rocchero requires understanding how Italy's administrative system functions—through a hierarchy of regions, provinces, and comuni working together within the constitutional framework of the Italian Republic. The location in Piedmont places Castel Rocchero within one of Italy's most economically and culturally significant regions. Piedmont is home to Turin (Italy's first capital), major automotive industry presence (Fiat), and world-renowned wine production. The Province of Asti specifically contributes to Italy's position as the world's largest wine producer, with Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti being protected designation of origin (PDO) products with global recognition. For researchers, policy analysts, and those studying Italian administrative structures, Castel Rocchero exemplifies the thousands of small comuni that form the backbone of Italian local governance. These municipalities handle essential functions including birth/death registration, marriage licenses, local taxation, building permits, and municipal police services. The comune system reflects Italy's commitment to decentralized governance while maintaining national coordination. ## Notable For - **Wine Production Region:** Located in the Asti province, one of Italy's premier sparkling wine producing areas - **Piedmont Location:** Part of the Piedmont region, home to 4.3 million residents and Italy's first capital city Turin - **Administrative Structure:** Represents the fundamental comune system that divides Italy into nearly 8,000 municipalities - **Provincial Belonging:** Part of Province of Asti, one of Italy's 110 provinces - **Multilingual Presence:** Connected to 52 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating international documentation ## Body ### Geography and Location Castel Rocchero is positioned at coordinates 44.719166666667° N latitude and 8.4163888888889° E longitude, placing it in the southeastern portion of Piedmont near the Asti province. The terrain of this area consists of rolling hills characteristic of the Piedmontese wine country, part of the broader Po River plain that dominates northern Italy's geography. The location benefits from the continental climate typical of inland northern Italy, with cold winters and warm summers conducive to grape cultivation. The comune's position within the Province of Asti places it in an area historically associated with wine production, particularly the aromatic sparkling wines that bear the Asti name. The region sits at a moderate elevation, benefiting from good drainage and sun exposure ideal for vineyards. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Castel Rocchero operates as a municipal corporation with its own elected council (consiglio comunale) and mayor (sindaco). The comune system dates to the unification of Italy in 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861, establishing the administrative framework that still governs Italian municipalities today. The comune falls under the administrative oversight of the Province of Asti, which itself is part of the Piedmont regional structure. Italy's administrative hierarchy flows from the national government in Rome through 20 regions, to 110 provinces (including metropolitan cities), down to the 7,904 comuni. This decentralized structure allows for local governance while maintaining national coordination. ### Regional Context: Piedmont Castel Rocchero is located in Piedmont (Piemonte), one of Italy's 20 regions and historically one of the most significant. Piedmont was the kingdom that led the Italian unification movement (Risorgimento) under the House of Savoy. The region became the core of the Kingdom of Italy and served as its first capital before the capital moved to Florence and then to Rome. Piedmont covers approximately 25,400 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 4.3 million people. The region is bordered by France and Switzerland to the west and north, with the Liguria region to the south. Its geography includes the Alps in the north and west, the Po River plain in the east and south, and the Apennine mountains along the border with Liguria. Economically, Piedmont is one of Italy's most important regions, with a diversified economy including automotive manufacturing (Fiat/Stellantis), aerospace, food and wine production, and tourism. The region produces some of Italy's most famous wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti Spumante, and Moscato d'Asti. ### Provincial Context: Province of Asti The Province of Asti encompasses an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers in southeastern Piedmont. The province is renowned for its wine production, particularly the Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti denominations, which have protected designation of origin (PDO) status under European Union law. The provincial capital is Asti, a city of approximately 76,000 inhabitants known for its medieval architecture, including the famous Torri dei Bricci and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The province includes 118 comuni, ranging from small rural municipalities like Castel Rocchero to larger towns. ### Relationship to Italy Castel Rocchero exists within the framework of the Italian Republic, a sovereign state established on June 18, 1946, following the constitutional referendum that ended the monarchy. Italy is a founding member of the European Union, a member of NATO since 1949, and a permanent member of various international organizations including the United Nations. The Italian Constitution establishes the framework for local governance, with Title V of the Constitution defining the roles and responsibilities of regions, provinces, comuni, and metropolitan cities. This constitutional foundation grants comuni significant autonomy in local matters while reserving certain powers for national and regional governments. Italy's administrative divisions include 20 regions (including five with special autonomous status), 110 provinces and metropolitan cities, and 7,904 comuni. Each comune has its own statute, council, and executive, allowing for local adaptation of governance to specific community needs. ### Population and Demographics With population figures ranging between 379 and 406 residents, Castel Rocchero represents one of Italy's smaller comuni. This population size is typical of rural municipalities in the Italian interior, where many comuni have populations under 1,000. These small municipalities often face challenges including aging populations, youth outmigration, and limited municipal revenues. The population figures likely represent different census years, reflecting demographic trends common throughout rural Italy. Many small comuni in Piedmont and throughout Italy have experienced population decline as younger residents move to larger cities for education and employment opportunities. ### Documentation and References Castel Rocchero is documented across multiple platforms, with 52 Wikipedia language editions providing coverage. This multilingual documentation reflects the global interest in Italian municipalities, both from Italian diaspora communities and from researchers studying Italian geography, administration, and culture. The comune is classified under Wikidata as , which represents the broader category of Italian comuni. The country classification under Q38 identifies Italy as the sovereign state encompassing all Italian comuni. This structured data approach allows for systematic analysis of Italian administrative divisions. ### Cultural and Economic Significance While small in population, Castel Rocchero contributes to the broader cultural and economic identity of the Asti province and Piedmont region. The area's significance derives primarily from wine production, which forms the backbone of the local economy. The Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti denominations are among Italy's most recognized wine exports, shipped globally and enjoyed in restaurants and homes worldwide. The comune's location within this wine-producing region places it within a cultural landscape that has been shaped by centuries of viticulture. The terroir, climate, and traditional winemaking practices of the Asti area have been passed down through generations, contributing to the distinctive character of the region's wines. ### Historical Context The comune system in Italy was formalized during the unification period in the mid-19th century. When the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861, the new government inherited a patchwork of administrative divisions from the various pre-unification states. These were reorganized into a standardized system of comuni, provinces, and regions that continues to the present day. Castel Rocchero's history is intertwined with the broader history of Piedmont and Italy. The region was at the center of the unification movement, and the decisions made in Turin and other Piedmontese cities shaped the development of the modern Italian state. The transition from monarchy to republic in 1946 brought further changes to local governance structures, establishing the democratic framework within which Castel Rocchero operates today. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html) 4. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it) 5. GeoNames 6. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 7. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 8. Seismic classification in Italy 9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)