CASTELLO MALASPINA & CHIESA DE SOS REGNOS ALTOS

The city of Bosa would not be what it is without the protective shadow of its imposing fortress of Malaspina. On the hill of Serravalle, overlooking the valley of the river Temo, it has dominated the landscape for centuries. The castle was built in 1112 by Malaspina, a very jealous marquis who, it is said, had a tunnel built connecting the castle to the cathedral, so that his beautiful wife could go to services without being seen.

Although the walls of the fortress are in good condition, there is unfortunately not much left of the castle, except for its high walls, its parapet walk and its partially ruined towers. Bosa's landmark building is worth a visit, however, especially for its chapel(capella palatina), also called the Chiesa di Nostra Signora de Sos Regnos Altos. It dates from the ^15th century and contains beautiful frescoes in Spanish style.

The church of Nostra Signora de Sos Regnos Altos, enclosed within the Malaspina fortress, preserves the traces of its Romanesque origin. It is small in size and does not reveal any prominent architectural elements. The interior is decorated with a beautiful cycle of frescoes from the ^14th century, celebrating the Franciscan virtues of poverty, chastity and humility. The frescoes were rediscovered in 1973 during restoration work and demonstrate the importance of St. Francis in the region at that time.

Note: the entrance ticket allows you to visit the castle and its chapel, but also the extra-mural church of St. Peter, located in via San Pietro.