Eng
Castelsardo in Sardegna is an authentic medieval village
perched high above the sea. It stands on a volcanic promontory overlooking the Gulf of Asinara
, in the north-west of the island.
The village is built around the medieval Doria Castle
, constructed in 1102 by the noble Genoese family as their impregnable stronghold.
The picturesque Doria Castle
remains intact after centuries and is open to visitors all year round
.
Inside, it houses one of the most visited museums in Sardegna: the Museo dell’Intreccio Mediterraneo
(MIM
), where you can admire the traditional hand-woven baskets
and enjoy an incredible view over the entire gulf.
Once past the ramparts that surround it, you find yourself in a labyrinth of winding narrow streets and steep stairways, with numerous churches and monuments of considerable historical interest
. Precisely because of its charm and the perfect preservation of its original character, Castelsardo is now part of the exclusive Club of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. Castelsardo also boasts splendid
beaches
of golden sand and crystal-clear water, nestled amongst uniquely shaped rocks
.
To name but a few: Punta La Capra, Cala Ostina, Lu Bagnu and Platamona, close to the stunning island of Asinara.
Beauty, history and picture-postcard seas: Castelsardo has absolutely everything you
need
to fall in love with it
.
Perched high above the sea, it’s visible from several miles away thanks to its bell tower covered in colourful majolica tiles.
It houses some remarkable treasures, such as La Pieddai, a polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin Mary; and above all the wooden crucifix of the ‘Black Christ’, the oldest in Sardegna.
A splendid natural sculpture and historical evidence of local settlements dating back to the Neolithic period.
Home to the ancient town hall since the 12th century.
A fine example of Romanesque architecture and the destination of the evocative Lunissanti pilgrimage. The journey begins at dawn and ends at night, by torchlight.
Photo credit: manuela.seupees
on Visualhunt
/ CC BY-NC-SA Nearby: the Abbey of Our Lady of Paulis in Ittiri
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