Castelsardo
SARDENYA 2024
Castelsardo is a picturesque, fortified medieval town, considered one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," perched dramatically on a rocky promontory on the northwest coast of Sardinia, overlooking the Gulf of Asinara.
History and Names:
The town was founded in the 13th century (around 1270) by the powerful Genoese Doria family, who originally named it Castel Genovese (Genoese Castle). After being conquered by the Aragonese in the 15th century, it was renamed Castel Aragonese (Aragonese Castle) and was part of the Crown of Aragon for approximately three centuries. Finally, under the House of Savoy in the 18th century, it was given its current name, Castelsardo ("Sardinian Castle").
Key Features and Traditions:
Doria Castle: The medieval fortress dominates the skyline. Today, it houses the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving, a tribute to the local traditional craft, particularly known for dwarf palm basketry.
Old Town: Consists of a maze of narrow, steep, cobblestone streets and stairways, with pastel-coloured houses, retaining its intact medieval character.
Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate: Notable for its bell tower with a majolica dome, which rises dramatically above the sea.
Handicrafts: It is famous for the ancient tradition of weaving baskets from palm leaves, an activity that can still be observed by elderly women on the streets of the old village.
The Elephant Rock (Roccia dell'Elefante): A remarkable prehistoric tomb (Domus de Janas) carved into a large volcanic rock formation that strikingly resembles a seated elephant.
Castelsardo
SARDENYA 2024
Castelsardo is a picturesque, fortified medieval town, considered one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," perched dramatically on a rocky promontory on the northwest coast of Sardinia, overlooking the Gulf of Asinara.
History and Names:
The town was founded in the 13th century (around 1270) by the powerful Genoese Doria family, who originally named it Castel Genovese (Genoese Castle). After being conquered by the Aragonese in the 15th century, it was renamed Castel Aragonese (Aragonese Castle) and was part of the Crown of Aragon for approximately three centuries. Finally, under the House of Savoy in the 18th century, it was given its current name, Castelsardo ("Sardinian Castle").
Key Features and Traditions:
Doria Castle: The medieval fortress dominates the skyline. Today, it houses the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving, a tribute to the local traditional craft, particularly known for dwarf palm basketry.
Old Town: Consists of a maze of narrow, steep, cobblestone streets and stairways, with pastel-coloured houses, retaining its intact medieval character.
Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate: Notable for its bell tower with a majolica dome, which rises dramatically above the sea.
Handicrafts: It is famous for the ancient tradition of weaving baskets from palm leaves, an activity that can still be observed by elderly women on the streets of the old village.
The Elephant Rock (Roccia dell'Elefante): A remarkable prehistoric tomb (Domus de Janas) carved into a large volcanic rock formation that strikingly resembles a seated elephant.