Casting apparatus for producing castings from a metallic melt, the casting apparatus comprising: - a casting die which at least comprises two die halves , of which at least a first die half is movable relative to the respective second die half between a closed position, in which the die is closed for filling the die with the molten metal, and an open position, in which the die is open for removing the casting formed from the molten metal, the die halves each comprising a front surface in which a recess is formed, the front surfaces of the die halves being in close contact and the recesses formed in the front surfaces together forming a die cavity for forming the respective casting while the die is closed, - an adjusting device for moving the movable die half , and - a clamping device which is switchable between a clamping position in which it locks the die halves against relative movement to each other, while the die is closed, and a release position, in which the die halves are released from each other to open the die , characterized in that the clamping device is an integral part of the die halves of the casting apparatus in that the clamping device comprises a counter bearing (12a - 12h) provided in or on the first die half and a locking device (25a - 25h) which is provided in or on the second die half , the locking device (25a - 25h) being switchable between a clamping position in which the locking device (25a - 25h) is in a form fitting engagement with the counter bearing (12a - 12h) of the first die half to lock the die halves in the closed position, and a release position, in which the locking device (25a - 25h) is released from the counter bearing (12a - 12h) to release the die halves from each other for opening of the die . - a casting die which at least comprises two die halves , of which at least a first die half is movable relative to the respective second die half between a closed position, in which the die is closed for filling the die with the molten metal, and an open position, in which the die is open for removing the casting formed from the molten metal, the die halves each comprising a front surface in which a recess is formed, the front surfaces of the die halves being in close contact and the recesses formed in the front surfaces together forming a die cavity for forming the respective casting while the die is closed, - an adjusting device for moving the movable die half , and - a clamping device which is switchable between a clamping position in which it locks the die halves against relative movement to each other, while the die is closed, and a release position, in which the die halves are released from each other to open the die , characterized in that the clamping device is an integral part of the die halves of the casting apparatus in that the clamping device comprises a counter bearing (12a - 12h) provided in or on the first die half and a locking device (25a - 25h) which is provided in or on the second die half , the locking device (25a - 25h) being switchable between a clamping position in which the locking device (25a - 25h) is in a form fitting engagement with the counter bearing (12a - 12h) of the first die half to lock the die halves in the closed position, and a release position, in which the locking device (25a - 25h) is released from the counter bearing (12a - 12h) to release the die halves from each other for opening of the die . <EOS>