Castello di Acquafredda
Castello di Acquafredda
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
The medieval fortress of Acquafredda, which controlled the access to the mining town of Villa di Chiesa, nowadays Iglesias, was built upon a volcanic cone, about 256 m high. In December 1993 the site was found Natural Monument, called “Domo Andesitico of Acquafredda”. Structurally the castle is set out on three defensive levels: suburb, tower cistern, donjon. The pisan count Ugolino Della Gherardesca has been the most famous owner of the Castle of Acquafredda. His events became well-known thanks to the verses of Dante Alighieri who includes him in the traitors' circle of “Divine Comedy”: here he nibbles the skull of the man who put him in prison, the archbishop Ruggeri Degli Ubaldini. "His mouth uplifted from the grim repast, that sinner..." (Hell, chant XXXIII°).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
174 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
41
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
1
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Roberta G
4 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Beautiful place that deserves to be visited. The effort of the route is rewarded by the wonderful panoramic view. For the less athletic there is a nice picnic area and a kiosk, ideal for spending a day surrounded by nature. I have already been there once before, and recently I took advantage of a particular opportunity, namely the collaboration between the castle and a falconry association, a very interesting and exciting day.
Written April 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grazie!
Written May 2, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anamaya356
Bulgaria53 contributions
Mar 2022
It's very nice activity for about couple of hours. Don't forget to stop by the little kiosk (that sells the tickets) and buy some of the local wines. Great activity BUT be extra vigilant if you climb up when there are strong winds.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thank you!
Written April 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
seifer1975
Assemini, Italy418 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Not a lot left to see but overall a healty walk in the wild and some outstanding view. The path to climb requires at least sport shoes, water and right clothes. a decent level of fitness is required
Written October 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You!
Written October 21, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cinzia p
1 contribution
Jul 2021
A suggestive place easily accessible, and very helpful staff. A place where you can relive history in an exciting way or just walk in nature. The events are always very interesting and engaging.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written July 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HodgesPW
Sheffield, UK35 contributions
Feb 2020
Cheap, nice walk up, not too strenuous and really interesting. Friendly man in the ticket office. Wasn't busy at all, but it was February!
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written March 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David B
Utrecht, The Netherlands177 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We visited the Castello on a rainy day and even then loved it. After arriving there by car we got some information at the ticket office and started our climb to the top. On the way there you pass the two other layers of the castle, very interesting, there are signs in different languages and the ticket office gives you the information also on paper. After the second stage you have a nice climb over some good ladders to the top. We could nog visit the keep, but we could go to the other guard tower and had a amazing view of the surroundings and could even see a glimpse of Cagliari. The total time for the climb and coming back to our car was 1 hour. We had a great time visiting the Castello.
Written September 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruzhania
Vilnius, Lithuania112 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
We visited the castle (or, more specifically, what is left of it) in August and enjoyed it immensely. There were no tourists around, so we had the whole hill to ourselves. The information plaques were sufficient to give you the idea of what was where in the Middle Ages and we spent almost two hours climbing, taking pictures (the views are really nice) and enjoying the ruins :) Take a lot of water if you climb there during the daytime in August :)
Written September 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,776 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
For those coming from the Italian mainland, Sardinia seems a bit mysterious in its landscape, because the unusual geology of the island. The Castle of Acquafredda is no exception. It stands on a hill of volcanic origin, but whose lava has poured in very ancient times (over 25 million years ago). The scientific name for this troubling shape is "andesite dome".
The castle that stands on the top (and which is reached by a easy hiking path) contributes to the charm. It was founded by the city of Pisa, which in the Middle Ages owned Sardinia. More precisely, it belonged to the family Gherardesca, that of Count Ugolino, made famous by Dante in the Divine Comedy, Inferno, Canto XXXIII.
A note unpleasant: a huge building at the base of the cliff with the function - I guess - of visitor's center, seems over-sized with respect to tourist needs; and in any case when we visited the site it was completely closed and unused.
The castle that stands on the top (and which is reached by a easy hiking path) contributes to the charm. It was founded by the city of Pisa, which in the Middle Ages owned Sardinia. More precisely, it belonged to the family Gherardesca, that of Count Ugolino, made famous by Dante in the Divine Comedy, Inferno, Canto XXXIII.
A note unpleasant: a huge building at the base of the cliff with the function - I guess - of visitor's center, seems over-sized with respect to tourist needs; and in any case when we visited the site it was completely closed and unused.
Written June 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Federica C
6 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Closure to 2023
We went on the last day of the year . Beautiful weather in a quiet countryside. Scenic place with beautiful views.
We went on the last day of the year . Beautiful weather in a quiet countryside. Scenic place with beautiful views.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written March 30, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MarcusHurley
Calne, UK10,816 contributions
Jun 2023
The castle is maybe 40 minutes from Cagliari and is sign posted once close. There is a good sized and shaded car park on site.
The castle is on a steep, conical mountain and dates to the thirteenth century, built to control access to the local silver and lead mines. It was owned by Pisa and then Aragon before passing in to disuse. The guy in the ticket office was really helpful and explained some background and safety tips before we started the climb. It was 260m through dense pine forest to the summit and it was sweaty work! The pictures don't cover the birdsong or the scent of pine trees but take it from me, it was fantastic, especially as we only saw one other visitor in the 2 hours we were there.
The castle was split into three lines of defence as you climbed the hill and the path was a mixture of stone steps and wooden walkways. At the summit we were told the safety barrier was advisory so, working on my usual principle of I know best, we crossed it to carry on up to the keep. There were only a few bits of wall left but it gave an idea of the strength of the place and also the skill and effort that went in to building it! Originally the only access to the keep was a bridge built across the hillside from the guard tower but luckily they now have far more sensible steps!
The climb up and down, although hard work, was really lovely and we saw lots of lizards and birds although none of the frogs or snakes that inhabit the hillside. There were some huge mushrooms though, the size of tea plates! Quite a bargain at €4 each. The entrance fee, not the mushrooms.
The castle is on a steep, conical mountain and dates to the thirteenth century, built to control access to the local silver and lead mines. It was owned by Pisa and then Aragon before passing in to disuse. The guy in the ticket office was really helpful and explained some background and safety tips before we started the climb. It was 260m through dense pine forest to the summit and it was sweaty work! The pictures don't cover the birdsong or the scent of pine trees but take it from me, it was fantastic, especially as we only saw one other visitor in the 2 hours we were there.
The castle was split into three lines of defence as you climbed the hill and the path was a mixture of stone steps and wooden walkways. At the summit we were told the safety barrier was advisory so, working on my usual principle of I know best, we crossed it to carry on up to the keep. There were only a few bits of wall left but it gave an idea of the strength of the place and also the skill and effort that went in to building it! Originally the only access to the keep was a bridge built across the hillside from the guard tower but luckily they now have far more sensible steps!
The climb up and down, although hard work, was really lovely and we saw lots of lizards and birds although none of the frogs or snakes that inhabit the hillside. There were some huge mushrooms though, the size of tea plates! Quite a bargain at €4 each. The entrance fee, not the mushrooms.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written July 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scusate il ritardo per la risposta, i fuochi si possono accendere dal 1 novembre fino al 15 maggio ( a seconda dell'ordinanza regionale antincendio)
Written October 2, 2018
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