Castelsardo rises over a promontory in the centre of
Gulf of Asinara. It is rich with artistic beauties, such as the medieval church of
Santa Maria and the
Castello dei Doria.
Being an antique and magnificent town of Northern Sardinia, it is one of the most extraordinary examples of a medieval settlement, up till now extremely cherished and intact in its structure, in its narrow streets winding up the hill until the very top where the majestic castle stands.
Its history dates back to approximately 1.000 years ago, when it was founded by the Genovese
Doria family and called
Castelgenovese, which later, after the conquest of Spaniards, became
Castell'Aragonese.
The
historical centre is the most interesting and characteristic part of the town. Its antique settlement conserves practically intact all the original buildings, including the splendid rampart of the extraordinary castle.
Observed from any angle, the castle always emanates invariable charm, taking the visitor back to the times when its old owners used it as a residence and a centre of control; the potent rampart made this extraordinary construction practically impregnable, the daring architecture indeed made the best also of the rock spurs of the hill, adapting even windows.
Nowadays the fortress hosts the
Museum of weaving, dedicated to all the things that skilful hands of Sardinian handicraftsmen learned to produce by weaving humble stems that the soil offered to them; it is also one more reason to visit the castle and enjoy from its top the spectacle offered by nature in the Northern coast of the island.
Around the castle grew a village, extremely picturesque, unfolded on a lowly cone with a wide view of Gulf of Asinara, Gallura mountains and Corsica.
Visiting the antique churches is a must: the 14th century church of
Santa Maria with the neighbouring monastery hosts a valuable
wooden Crucifix known as "of the
black Christ" for the coloration caused by the ageing of the material; the
Cathedral from 16th century still preserves an anchor with a
Madonna con Bambino in its centre, a work of the
Master of Castelsardo.
The characteristic narrow streets randomly cut by stairways require good stamina but they are worth all the effort.
