Villasor, Seviller Castle

Villasor is in the center of the Campidano plain. Its territory is crossed by numerous waterways, including the Flumini Mannu, the Malu River and the Nou River, and is rich in archaeological evidence starting from prehistoric times. The historic center preserves few traces of the medieval past, with the exception of the castle, which was the seat of local feudal lords. After a series of restorations, it is home to exhibitions and conferences.
The stronghold is called “Alagon's” after the name of the Iberian family to which it belonged the longest. In reality, the castle was built by the will of Giovanni Sivilleris, to whom in 1415 the archbishop of Cagliari granted the right to erect a fortification to defend the territory from Arborense rebels returning from the war with the Aragonese. For centuries it was the fulcrum of the Marquisate of Villasor and after the abolition of feudalism it was used as a barracks and prison.
It has a “U” shape and appears as an impressive structure. The crowning of the main façade is crenellated. The edges are raised in the shape of turrets. The inner courtyard overlooks a series of rooms and a living room on the ground floor. On the first floor, on the other hand, there should be rooms for residents.

History of studies
For the castle or stronghold of Villasor, the studies conducted by Foiso Fois at the turn of the Seventies and Eighties of the last century are valid, followed by the contribution of Gabriele Tola and Francesca Segni Pulvirenti (1985). Foiso Fois's analysis dates back to 1992 in the volume edited by Barbara Fois on medieval castles in Sardinia.

Bibliography
F. Fois, “Yesterday the knights today the grain: the castle of Villasor in complete abandonment”, in Almanacco di Cagliari, 1977, without pages;
F. Fois, “Knights of the Order of Santiago and the castle of Villasor in Sardinia”, in Anuario de Estudios Medievales, 11, 1981, pp. 493-504; G. Anedda, The monuments and history of Villasor, Cagliari, 1984; G. Tola-F. Segni Pulvirenti, “The Aragonese Fortress House of Villasor”, in Acts of the XII C.S.C.A., Montpellier, 1985;
F. Fois, Castles of Medieval Sardinia, edited by B. Fois, Cinisello Balsamo, Amilcare Pizzi, 1992, pp. 91-97; F. Segni Pulvirenti - A. Sari, Late Gothic and Renaissance-influenced architecture. Nuoro, Ilisso, 1994, sheet 16;
G. Serreli, All the castles of the Four Kingdoms, “Darwin. Quaderni”, n. 1 (July-August 2006), pp. 104-109

How to get there
Villasor is 28 km from Cagliari. To reach it, take the SS 130 for about 19 km; near Decimomannu, turn right and take the SS 196. After about 8 km you arrive at the town, which includes the castle.