 Castenlnuovo's origins, as attested by the name (meaning "New Castle") are connected to a castle built before 1000 AD, around which a burgh grew as time passed.It was once divided in two by the lords of Riva and the counts of Biandrate, until it was given by the German emperors to the marquesses of Montferrat.Subsequently, it was under the commune of Asti, then a fief of the lords of Rivalba and of those of Piea, until it returned to Montferrat.