Castello di Acquafredda

The Acquafredda Castle is an important example of a fortified structure from the medieval era, located in Siliqua in southern Sardinia, about 30 km from Cagliari. It stands on a hill of volcanic origin, rising to a height of 256 meters above sea level. The site, known as "Domo Andesitico di Acquafredda," has been designated as a Natural Monument by the Sardinia region. From the discovery of a Papal bull dated July 30, 1238, it is believed that the castle already existed at that time, but it is widely thought to have been built by the famous Pisan nobleman Ugolino Della Gherardesca, Count of Donoratico, since 1257. Fallen from grace, the count was imprisoned in Pisa in the Gualandi tower, later called the "Tower of Hunger," where he died in 1288. The events of Count Ugolino became famous thanks to the profound verses of Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy: "His mouth uplifted from his grim repast, that sinner..." which we find in Canto XXXIII of the Inferno.