The Territory of Castelsardo

THE VILLAGE
Castelsardo is a medieval village, surrounded by walls and perched on a hill in the center of the Gulf of Asinara, in a very impressive location. The main attraction of Castelsardo is the Castle that dominates the entire village and is steeped in the history of the village. The old town is full of narrow streets, which overlook many artisan shops where you can buy local products.

Castelsardo is renowned above all for the beauty of its white beaches and crystal-clear sea, one of the seven royal cities of Sardinia and one of the most extraordinary examples of a medieval village.

About 5 km from Castelsardo in Località Multeddu along the roadside stands the imposing Elephant Rock; a block of dark trachyte sculpted by the wind, at the base of which we find openings to the domus de janans chamber tombs.

Castelsardo is a central point for your holidays as it is only 25km from Porto Torres, 65 km from the airport of Alghero, 105 km from Olbia and 30km from Sassari. In the country there is every kind of business, two banks (Banco di Sardegna and Intesa San Paolo), pharmacies and parapharmacies, post office, bars, restaurants, pizzerias and supermarkets.

THE CASTLE
Here we find all the buildings of the past intact, including the extraordinary castle built at the top of the hill, where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view and inside we find the Museum dedicated to Mediterranean art. Nearby, overlooking the sea, we find the impressive cathedral of Sant Antonio Abate, built in 600 on the structure of a previous Romanesque church. The Cathedral has a bell tower that ends in a roof of colored majolica tiles. In the heart of the old village there is also the charming church of Santa Maria which contains a fourteenth-century crucifix known as the Black Christ

THE PORT
The Castelsardo is located in the north of Sardinia, at the foot of the medieval village. It is a short distance from the National Park of the Asinara Island, one of the most untouched Mediterranean islands that, for many decades housed a maximum security prison. The port boasts 700 berths and is also a starting point for beautiful excursions. From the port it is possible to leave for excursions to the islands and also to visit the Asinara National Park, where it is possible to admire the famous albino donkeys. It is also possible to organize day trips to Corsica.

EVENTS
The most important events of Castelsardo are: New Year’s Eve when the village is illuminated by a fireworks display of about 45 minutes and the evening is enlivened every year by a concert of very famous Italian artists (Litfiba, Alessandra Amoroso, Max Gazzè, Francesco Renga, 883, Carmen Consoli, Dolce Nera etc.) On Monday of Holy Week, the town of Castelsardo is the scene of an intricate procession of lunissanti: The narrow streets of the old town are illuminated by torches and hooded figures, while the notes of the three choirs of Lu Stabat, Lu Jesu and Lu Miserere recreate old songs before the Catalan domination which have been handed down orally to thye present day. The Holy Week is represented in three phases: Lunissanti, Prucessioni and Scravamentu. At the end we celebrate Easter Monday at the Park of Lu Grannaddu, at the foot of the Castle facing the sea, which every year is frequented by many tourists and people from neighboring countries. Another very important event is the summer carnival when all the rooms are sold out. Throughout the summer season the village is lively and atmospheric all through the streets and in the historical center.