One of the most beautiful villages in Italy

We are in the territory of Anglona, bordering Gallura and Romangia. The scenic old town, located in an elevated position, is a hilltop ensemble of dark alleyways and medieval buildings that seemingly meld into the grey rock peak. The city was founded in the 12th century as a defensive fort for the Doria family of Genoa. Called Castel Genovese, it was the scene of numerous clashes and in 1326 fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who renamed it Castel Aragonese. It only became Castelsardo in 1767, under the Savoia family of Piedmont. Castelsardo has been included among the most beautiful villages in Italy. Find out more by by clicking on the button below.
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Castle

Since the Middle Ages, the Castle has dominated the town’s historic center at the top of the hill, and is the fulcrum around which the original city was built. Built in the 12th century by the Doria family and inhabited for some time by Eleonora d'Arborea, it offers a magnificent view of the Asinara Gulf to Corsica. Inside it houses the small Museo dell'Intreccio del Mediterraneo, dedicated to the art of producing baskets that made Castelsardo famous.

Church of Santa Maria

Immediately after the castle stands the medieval church, much loved by the town’s inhabitants and revered for its 14th century crucifix, one of the oldest in Sardinia, called Lu Cristu Nieddu (the black Christ) because of the color of the juniper wood has turned over the years.

Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate

Symbol of the city, a thin bell tower of the cathedral is surmounted by a bright colored cupola.

The cathedral, which stands on a panoramic terrace, was originally built in a Gothic style, but in the 17th century, Renaissance and Baroque elements were added. Inside, the main altar is surmounted by the Madonna Enthroned with the Child, a painting by the mysterious Master of Castelsardo. Other works by this artist can be admired in the crypt of the Diocesan Museum. Accessible from a door next to the altar, the crypt presents a series of small rooms carved into the rock: they are all that remains of the Romanesque church that once stood on this site.

THE OLD RESERVOIR

Castelsardo still preserves its old reservoir. The sight of it is like living inside a painting.

FRIGIANO'S TOWER - Tourist Port

The tower rises thirteen meters high as a defensive outpost in the tourist port of Frigiano, under the city of Castelsardo.

Built in the second half of the 16th century by the Spaniards, it guarded the coves below the stronghold and protected against invasions of the Saracens and the Barbareschi who devastated the territory throughout the first half of the sixteenth century. It was subsequently abandoned by the Piedmontese, because it was considered of little value for the city.

Necropolis, churches and abbeys around Castelsardo

The Elephant Rock
From Castelsardo, the SS134 for Sedini leads to a bizarre rock formation reminiscent of an elephant. Incredible but true, this rock has been shaped, over time, by atmospheric elements. Inside, there are two Neolithic tombs (known as domus de janas, or fairy houses): the upper tomb was partially destroyed by erosion, while the lower one, in good condition, houses four small rooms and a rock incision depicting the horns and the head of a bull.

At Condrogianos, the Roman Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia, Church of Our Lady of Tergu, Church of St. Peter of the Images in Bulzi, the Necropolis of Su Murrone in Chiaramonti and its Castle of the Dorias, the Castle of the Malaspina Osilo, the Domus de Janas in Sedini, the Sacred Well of Predio Canopoli in Perfugas, the Romanesque-Pisan Church of San Michele di Salvenero Ploaghe.

Through this territory flows the Fiume Coghinas which forms the natural boundary between the Gallura and the Anglona. A barrier near Su Muzzone created Lake Coghinas, the second artificial lake of Sardinia; the river also feeds the Casteldoria Lake, an artificial basin created in 1926 for hydroelectric purposes.

The term Coghinas in Logudorese means "kitchen" and derives from the presence of hot springs that at the height of Santa Maria Coghinas The hot springs flow into a spa complex that date back to Roman times: the Baths of Casteldoria.. The cellars of Torre dei Doria, nestled in the green of unspoiled nature, are a collision of exceptional natural elements: thermal springs, river, mountain, lake and sea. Frequented by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and the Romans, and always appreciated by the neighboring towns, the Baths are open all year, offer treatments of the highest quality thanks to the thermal water salsobromoiodica that gushes 76 ° C, ideal for muds, baths, showers, thermal inhalations, irrigations, hydropinotherapy, steam baths, whirlpools and thermal saunas. The Baths of Casteldoria are organized in two different structures, located on opposite banks of the Coghinas River: the Baths of Casteldoria and the Thermal Pools of Casteldoria, in the Municipality of Viddalba.

In the immediate vicinity, there are other miracles of nature. A cascade drops from the Pilchina di Li Caaddaggi at Sedini, a seasonal waterfall enclosed within a unique landscape. The reliefs of Monte Ruju, a granite massif with a pinkish color, are also very important. From the deep gorge of Badde Traes in Martis, you can admire the Triulintas waterfall, which once fed a mill; not far away is the Petrified Forest of Martis, a fossil forest with a sacred and still air.

Well representative of the territory of the Tanta Manna plateau in Laerru, rich in Mediterranean vegetation, with oaks, holm oaks, lentiscus, strawberry trees, downy oaks, almond trees and cysts. On the land you can also observe many specimens of Sardinian wildlife such as foxes, wild boars, hares, martens, partridges, the peregrine falcon, herons and coots. There is also important river vegetation made of reeds, rushes, larches, cattails, tamarisks and willows.

Alghero, the Caves of Neptune, and the National Park of Porto Conte are all must visits.

For guests who want to discover the oldest treasures of magical Sardinia, we recommend a visit to the "Museo Giovanni Marongiu" of Cabras which boasts a precious archaeological museum containing, among other things, the "Giants of Mont'e Prama". It is incredible to admire the warriors, boxers, and archers—powerful symbols of Sardinian civilization dating back to the year 750 BC. Their full meaning still remains wrapped in mystery today.

THE CULTURE OF REGIONAL FOOD

No matter where you eat on this island, you can taste genuine products and enjoy unforgettable experiences.

The whole territory is comprised of plains and low hills full of grassy pastures, vineyards, distinctive crops, and summer gardens. Several dairies produce excellent types of Sardinian pecorino, pecorino romano, ricotta and different types of low-fat cheese.

The variety of grape cultivated in Sardinia since the pre-nuragic period continues to be present in this territory, which is rich in vineyards. Some are for family use while some produce large quanities for various cellars. The "Cannonau", the "Vermentino" and the "Moscato" are local specialities. These wines and other products grown near the sea contain detoxing and organoleptic properties, thanks to the iodine content.

Valorizing 2018, "Year of Food" (for more info click here)