# Castelnuovo Don Bosco

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q17785](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17785)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelnuovo_Don_Bosco)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/castelnuovo-don-bosco

## Summary
Castelnuovo Don Bosco is an Italian comune located in the Province of Asti within the Piedmont region, serving as the birthplace of Saint John Bosco. It is a municipality characterized by its historical connection to the Salesian founder and includes several human settlements such as Colle Don Bosco, Mondonio, and Morialdo.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Italian comune (municipal division of Italy).
*   **Location:** Province of Asti, Piedmont, Italy.
*   **Coordinates:** 45.041666666667° N, 7.964166666667° E.
*   **Population:** Recorded figures include 3,235, 3,195, and 3,119 residents.
*   **Official Website:** https://www.comune.castelnuovodonbosco.at.it
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q38 (Italy context), specific entity ID implied by context.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Castelnuovo Don Bosco.
*   **Sitelink Count:** 59 language versions available.
*   **Birthplace of:** John Bosco (Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer, 1815–1888).
*   **Notable Settlements:** Colle Don Bosco, Mondonio, Morialdo, Località Bardella 1.
*   **Key Landmark:** Basilica of Don Bosco (inception: June 21, 1961).
*   **Country:** Italy (Republic established June 18, 1946; Kingdom proclaimed March 17, 1861).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Castelnuovo Don Bosco?**
It is a comune situated in the Province of Asti within the Piedmont region of northern Italy. As a municipal division, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Italian Republic and is part of the broader European Union framework.

**Who is the historical figure most associated with this town?**
The town is the birthplace of Saint John Bosco, a renowned priest and educator who lived from 1815 to 1888. His legacy defines the town's identity, leading to its name change and the establishment of significant religious sites like the Basilica of Don Bosco.

**What are the specific settlements contained within the comune?**
The municipality encompasses several distinct human settlements, including Colle Don Bosco, Mondonio, Morialdo, and Località Bardella 1. These areas contribute to the town's total population and geographical footprint.

**When was the Basilica of Don Bosco established?**
The Basilica of Don Bosco, a major Catholic church located in the town, was inaugurated on June 21, 1961. It stands as a central religious monument in the birthplace of Saint John Bosco.

**What are the demographic statistics for the comune?**
Recent population records indicate figures fluctuating between 3,119 and 3,235 residents. These numbers reflect the current demographic scale of this specific Italian municipality.

## Why It Matters
Castelnuovo Don Bosco holds profound historical and religious significance as the origin point of Saint John Bosco, a figure who revolutionized youth education and social work globally. The town serves as a pilgrimage site and a living testament to the "preventive system" of education, which emphasizes reason, religion, and kindness over punishment. Its existence preserves the legacy of the Salesians of Don Bosco, an order that now operates in over 130 countries, making the comune a critical node in the network of Catholic education and charitable outreach. Furthermore, the establishment of the Basilica in 1961 solidified the town's role as a center for spiritual heritage, attracting visitors and scholars interested in the history of the Catholic Church and Italian social reform.

## Notable For
*   **Birthplace of a Saint:** Being the native town of John Bosco, canonized in 1934 and patron of youth and apprentices.
*   **Salesian Origins:** The starting point for the founding of the Salesians of Don Bosco (1859) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (1872).
*   **Religious Architecture:** Home to the Basilica of Don Bosco, constructed to honor the saint's legacy.
*   **Distinct Settlements:** Contains unique localities such as Colle Don Bosco and Mondonio within its municipal boundaries.
*   **Educational Legacy:** The geographical root of the "preventive system" of education used worldwide.
*   **Administrative Identity:** A specific comune within the Province of Asti, distinguished by its namesake saint.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Castelnuovo Don Bosco is an Italian comune located in the Province of Asti, which is part of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. The municipality is geographically defined by coordinates at latitude 45.041666666667 and longitude 7.964166666667. It operates under the administrative framework of the Italian Republic, a country established in its current form on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum. The comune is a municipal division of Italy, sharing the country's ISO codes, time zones, and legal systems. The official website for the municipality is https://www.comune.castelnuovodonbosco.at.it, serving as the digital hub for local governance and information.

### Demographics and Settlements
The population of Castelnuovo Don Bosco is recorded with specific figures of 3,235, 3,195, and 3,119, reflecting recent census or estimation data. The municipality is not a single contiguous urban block but includes several distinct human settlements. These include Colle Don Bosco, a significant locality often associated with the saint's early life; Mondonio, a settlement within the Province of Asti; Morialdo; and Località Bardella 1. These settlements collectively form the demographic and social fabric of the comune, contributing to its total population count and local community structure.

### Historical Significance and John Bosco
The town's identity is inextricably linked to John Bosco, an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer born on August 16, 1815. At the time of his birth, the region was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which later evolved into the Kingdom of Italy proclaimed on March 17, 1861. John Bosco is renowned for founding the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1859, a religious order dedicated to the education and welfare of underprivileged youth. He also established the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in 1872 and the Association of Salesian Cooperators in 1876. His educational philosophy, known as the "preventive system," prioritized reason, religion, and loving-kindness, leaving a lasting impact on Catholic education globally. The town was renamed in his honor, cementing his legacy as a central figure in its history.

### Religious Infrastructure and Landmarks
A defining feature of Castelnuovo Don Bosco is the Basilica of Don Bosco, a Catholic church located in the saint's birthplace. This significant religious structure was inaugurated on June 21, 1961, serving as a major pilgrimage site and a center for the Salesian community. The basilica stands as a physical manifestation of the town's devotion to John Bosco and his mission. It is one of the key sitelinks associated with the entity, highlighting its importance in religious tourism and historical preservation. The presence of this basilica distinguishes the comune from other municipalities in the Province of Asti, drawing visitors interested in the history of the Catholic Church and the life of the saint.

### Digital Presence and Metadata
Castelnuovo Don Bosco maintains a presence in various digital encyclopedias and databases, with a Wikipedia article available in 59 languages. The entity is cataloged in Wikidata, linking it to the broader context of Italy and the specific category of Italian comunes. The town's digital footprint includes its official municipal website and references in global knowledge bases. The high sitelink count indicates a robust international interest in the town, driven largely by its association with Saint John Bosco and the global reach of the Salesian order. This digital connectivity ensures that information about the comune, its history, and its landmarks is accessible to a worldwide audience.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.astigov.it/it/page/castelnuovo-don-bosco)
2. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Italian National Institute of Statistics
6. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
7. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
8. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
9. GeoNames
10. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
11. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
12. Seismic classification in Italy
13. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)