Castle of Gioiosa Guardia, Medieval castle in Villamassargia, Italy.

Castle of Gioiosa Guardia is a 13th-century fortified building on the summit of a hill near Villamassargia, in the province of South Sardinia. It stands on the border that once separated the Cixerri curatoria of Ugolino della Gherardesca from the Sulcis, Nora and Decimo curatorie held by Gherardo della Gherardesca's heirs.

The castle was probably built by the Della Gherardesca, who took control of south-west Sardinia after the partition of the Giudicato of Cagliari in 1258; another hypothesis dates it to the 12th century, under William I of Cagliari. It stood on the border between Ugolino della Gherardesca's curatoria of Cixerri and the lands of Gherardo's heirs. Guelfo della Gherardesca occupied it around 1290-1295, and Brancaleone Doria, husband of Eleanor of Arborea, later took it temporarily. It then passed to Aragonese feudal lords.

The fortress displays medieval military architecture and reflects the defensive strategies that were common throughout this region. You can see how earlier generations protected and controlled their territories from this elevated position.

The site is best reached on foot via marked paths from Villamassargia, where local guides can assist with exploration. Wear sturdy shoes as the climb to the hilltop can be steep and uneven.

The fortress served as a negotiating point between competing family branches who sought control of the same region. This position made it a buffer zone between rival territories rather than a simple stronghold.