Castelsardo, the medieval village overlooking the sea

Castelsardo, one of Italy's most beautiful villages, boasts a thousand-year history marked by changes in rule and names. Founded in 1102 by the Genoese Doria family as Castel Genovese, the village passed to the Aragonese in 1448, who renamed it Castell'Aragonese and granted it the title of “royal city”. It withstood numerous sieges, from the incursions of Renzo Ursino and Andrea Doria to the Ottoman attacks of 1576, preserving historical evidence such as the cannonball embedded in the walls of the church of Santa Maria. In 1769, under the Savoy, the city took on its definitive name of Castelsardo, entering a phase of economic and cultural growth. Even today, its fortifications, medieval alleys and the charm of the village tell of a rich and compelling past.

The beauties of Castelsardo

Perched on a promontory overlooking the sea, Castelsardo enchants visitors with its medieval old town, known as Cittadella or Casteddu, a maze of narrow streets, stairways and small squares that retains its original layout dating back to 1102. The castle, now home to the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving and cultural events, offers spectacular views of the village and the surrounding sea. Among the most important monuments is the Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate, visible from the sea thanks to its colourful majolica bell tower, which houses a precious altarpiece by the “Maestro di Castelsardo”, with Flemish and Renaissance influences, as well as fine 18th-century altars in juniper wood.

The church of Santa Maria, surrounded by high walls, is the seat of the Confraternity of Santa Croce and preserves treasures such as the polychrome statue of the Madonna, the Pieddai, and the Black Christ, the oldest wooden crucifix in Sardinia, the protagonist of the Lunissanti festival.

The surrounding area bears witness to prehistoric settlements: nuraghi, Domus de Janas and the ‘Elephant Rock’ from the Copper Age. Nuraghi such as Paddaggiu and Ispighia reveal the ancient defensive organisation, while the promontory dominates the port of Frigiano, closing the entrance to the sea and hosting Roman landing places such as the picturesque Cala Austina. Castelsardo thus combines millennial history, medieval architecture and breathtaking landscapes.

Events and traditions

Among the most evocative events in Castelsardo are the Holy Week rituals, in particular the Lunissanti, which takes place on the Monday before Easter. This sacred representation of the passion and death of Christ winds through the narrow streets of the historic centre, carrying the precious wooden crucifix of the “Black Christ” in procession, repeating itself identically for over half a millennium. The atmosphere, made magical by the archaic sounds of three pre-Gregorian choirs and the flickering light of torches, transports the village back to the Middle Ages. On New Year's Eve, the village comes alive with fireworks and concerts.

photo credits Balate.Dorin