An itinerary to discover the Roman-Pisan Churches of Castelsardo and the surrounding area
The Church of Santa Maria
The Church of Santa Maria is a Medieval church that today houses the Fraternity of the Holy Cross. Here you will find the crucifix called “Lu Cristu Nieddu“ (the black Christ), dating back to the 1300’s, and the Pieddai, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.
The Black Christ crucifix is considered to be miraculous, and it used to be carried in a procession every time a natural calamity would hit Castelsardo.
The Church of Nostra Signora di Tergu
Tergu is a town just a few kilometers from Castelsardo. Here you will find a marvelous Romanic-Pisan Church built in the 13th century, and once part of the Benedictine Abbey.
The Church of Nostra Signora di Tergu is the first stop during the Holy Week: the first mess is celebrated here and the Mysteries are presented; a procession will travel through the town all the way to the bastion of the Castelsardo Castle.
The Basilica of Saccargia
The Church of the Santissima Trinità di Saccargia is one of Sardinia’s most famous and captivating Roman-Pisan churches, popular among architecture lovers.
It is located about 1 hour from Castelsardo and it is surely worth a visit as it is a wonderful example of Roman style, surrounded by a valley that was originally settled by Camaldolese friars.
A masterpiece in black and white, maybe in honor of the spotted cow that, according to the legend, used to kneel before it. In Sardinian, “S’acca Argia” means “Spotted cow”.
Other tourist destinations around Castelsardo
The Elephant Rock
The Elephant Rock is only 3 km from the Rosa dei Venti Hotel. This is a trachyte rock that looks like an elephant sitting down with the trunk facing the street (hence the name).
The Elephant Rock is a natural monument and a Domus De Janas, the ancient burial structures of the Pre-Nuragic era that are scattered all over Sardinia.
All over the indoor walls you can admire sketches of taurine protomes, symbols of a god worshiped for his strength, power and courage.
The Elephant Rock is a spectacular example of the erosion of trachyte and limestone rocks that are scattered around the Anglona region, often used by prehistoric civilizations to build the funerary structures called “Domus de Janas”.
