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Discovering
the Island
Main Attractions Edition
The first scratch map of Sardinia, you will discover 40 attractions of the Island. Each of them will make you know more local elements.
6 - CASTELSARDO
Castelsardo is a village of about 6000 inhabitants, located on the northern coast of Sardinia and precisely in the historical region of Anglona. It overlooks the rocky coast of the Gulf of Asinara.
Given its strategic position, Castelsardo was the site of ancient pre-Nuragic, Nuragic and later Roman settlements.
The actual village was built in medieval period, under the guidance of the Genoese Doria family. They were responsible for the foundation of the Castle. The official building dates back to 1102, but it is more likely that only the first fortifications date back to that date. More recent historical studies date the construction of the palace to around 1270, when castles spread throughout northern Sardinia. It was an impregnable fortress, at least for the weapons then in use, protected by mighty walls and 17 towers.
It was also the residence of the Sardinian heroine Eleonora d'Arborea, wife of Brancaleone Doria.
Today the castle is the seat of the Museo dell'Intreccio Mediterraneo, which displays ancient knowledge handed down from generation to generation. In the streets of the city it is still possible to observe the basket-makers, women who produce traditional artefacts outside the door of the house, weaving dwarf palm, sea hay and raffia.
Another characteristic building is the Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate, built in 1586. Its splendid view of the coast, the bell tower overlooking the sea and the dome of the bell tower covered with polychrome majolica make it a unique place and very appreciated by many tourists.
Today, Castelsardo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and Les Plus Beaux Villages de la Terre, thanks to the urban landscape made of ramparts, steep staircases, narrow cobbled alleys and the panorama that embraces all the coasts of the Gulf of Asinara up to those of Corsica.
Castelsardo has a number of attractions including:
- Palace of the Doria;
- The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie;
- Palace of La Loggia;
- Palace of Eleonora of Arborea;
- The walls;
- Tower of Frigiano.
