Castelsardo, Spalti Manganella Garden

Manganella Spalti Garden. Photo by Irene Ollargiu, 2025, from Catalogo BBCC

The garden overlooks the sea, extending within the line of medieval fortifications, in the area known as Spalti Manganella, near the Castello dei Doria built between the second half of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century by the homonymous Genoese family. It constituted the fulcrum of an articulated defensive system, equipped with walls, bastions and towers, and it also represented an important administrative center and noble residence. In 1448, the fortress fell under Aragonese rule, which transformed it into a strategic stronghold, strengthening defensive structures and modifying the urban layout. In the following centuries, the castle maintained its military function and also assumed a cultural and religious role, becoming an episcopal seat in 1503. In the Savoy era, the embankment was partly used for agricultural purposes. In the master plan of 1854, the Manganella area is, in fact, identified as a vegetable garden. It is also characterized by the presence of the Church of Santa Croce (now destroyed) and the adjoining cemetery, which was dismantled only around the seventies of the last century in order to recover building space. Some tombs and wall structures, perhaps family chapels, are still visible today from this cemetery. The destination of the garden area is relatively recent. It dates back to the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century, as part of a larger program for the recovery and use of the historical and landscape heritage by the Municipality of Castelsardo. It is accessed from Via Spalti Manganella, through three entrances. The area develops longitudinally, following the profile of the slope, and has a succession of levels and terraces. The distribution of spaces in the garden is defined by anthropogenic and natural elements. In fact, in the area, in addition to the fortifications, there are also some remains of a cemetery area, in use until the middle of the 20th century. To the east, some archaeological essays are visible. The garden can be divided into three spaces. Two almost parallel longitudinal strips, a long coastline, mainly flat with an English lawn and a rear one close to the road axis with parking lots, terraced. The third, a small nucleus of its own, below the escarpment of the Cathedral. The species present are typical of Mediterranean spontaneous vegetation: juniper, dwarf palm, tamarisk, pitosphorus, acacia. They hit some large areas where maritime cineraria flourishes.

Aspects of interest
From a scenographic point of view, the garden enhances the views of the sea, the ancient village and especially the Cathedral that dominates the fortress, seeking a continuous dialogue between nature and architecture. Open spaces alternate with denser vegetation of different heights, marking the route and offering multiple visual and sensory experiences. The presence of historical elements such as bastions and archaeological remains constitutes a visual and narrative reference point. The presence of native Mediterranean plant species helps to strengthen the ecological identity of the site.