Castello di Acquafredda

About the museum

The castle of Acquafredda stands on a hill of volcanic origin 256 metres high, about 4 km from the village of Siliqua, in southern Sardinia. A papal bull of 1238 suggests that the fortress already existed at that time; tradition attributes its construction to the Pisan nobleman Ugolino della Gherardesca, count of Donoratico, lord of part of south-western Sardinia from about 1257. The castle controlled access to the mining town of Iglesias, rich in silver and lead.

After Ugolino’s fall from grace, he died in Pisa in 1289 and is remembered by Dante in the Inferno; the castle then passed under the control of Pisa and, from 1326 to 1410, of the Aragonese sovereigns. Afterwards it was probably abandoned and passed to various feudal families, until the king of Sardinia redeemed it in 1785.

The structure develops over three defensive levels: at the top the keep, the castellan’s residence, with the watchtower; halfway up the cistern tower, which can be visited inside; lower down the borough with the curtain wall and three towers. The hill, called the Domo andesitico di Acquafredda (Acquafredda andesitic dome), has also been a Natural Monument of the Sardinian Region since 1993 and offers a wide view over the Cixerri valley. The archaeological park is managed by the cooperative Antarias.

Highlights

• Keep and watchtower on the volcanic hill
• Cistern tower that can be visited inside
• The story of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca
• View over the Cixerri valley
• Audio guide in five languages and multimedia room

Permanent exhibition

• Sala multimediale – Multimedia space of the park, included in the ticket with the guided tour.

Operated by

Antarias società cooperativa

Visitors per year

approx. 10,000

Admission & discounts

Without guided tour: €6 for adults, including the audio guide. With guided tour and admission to the multimedia room: €8 for adults.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visit is not accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs because of the terrain. The guided route is 2 km long, with stairs and unsurfaced stretches; sturdy, comfortable closed shoes are recommended.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

The terrain is not suitable for pushchairs; in the park there is a pine wood with picnic tables and a nature trail with exercise equipment.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies along the SS 293 di Giba at km 35, about 4 km from the centre of Siliqua and about 30 km from Cagliari.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A refreshment point is in the car park; at the foot of the hill there is a pine wood with picnic tables and paths.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit