The Castle of Quirra

Nearby are located the ruins of Castle of Quirra, for a long time residence of the Carroz family, lords of the great feud. The area where the castle now lies was used since the Palaeolithic: located above a 296-meter high mountain, it guaranteed a dominant and strategic position. In some areas, near the castle, numerous caves were found, with the remains of human settlements dating back to the Palaeolithic and the ancient Neolithic.

The Castle of Quirra was built before the 1296-97, by the Giudici of Cagliari, and because of its importance - political, military and economic - the castle suffered numerous sieges. Having control of the Castle of Quirra meant controlling not only the nearby coast but also the rich mines located in the interior.

Among the many noteworthy tales and legends about the Castle of Quirra, those about the two most famous ladies of the Carroz family - Eleonora and Violante - are worth being told.

According to the first tale Berengario Carroz, fell desperately in love with Donna Eleonora Manriquez, cousin of the Queen of Aragon, and in order to marry her he had his wife executed in the castle, after falsely accusing her of betrayal.

The second legend takes place along the road that the Carroz used to follow to go to their residence in Ales. According to the legend the Count of Mandas fell in love with the daughter of the Count of Quirra, and he asked for her hand in marriage even while knowing that his love was unrequited. The young lady, perhaps to discourage the Count's hopes, promised to marry him if he would come to claim her on a 4-horse-drawn carriage. The road that connected the castle and the Mount Cardiga Upland, known today as "Sa Scala de Sa Contissa” (The Countess's stairway), was well familiar to the Cout's daughter, who also knew also that it was almost impossible for the Count to succeed in his quest, given the narrow width and steep slope of the "stairway".

Despite everything the Count succeeded in his intent and the young lady had to agree to leave with him, but when the carriage came back to the "stairway", the young woman's heart did not endure the pain of leaving and died in the arms of her beau.

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