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Sardinia
Multiple faces of the same
island,different aspects
of a single country.
Sardinia is like a play,offering a new scenario
every time the curtain rises:ancient traditions
and craftsmanship,wild and unspoiled nature,
indescribable landscapes and beaches.However,
there is a common thread that leads you through
this series of shapes and colours:the personality
of an ancient land and its people.
In fact,Sardinia stands for traditions that are
strongly rooted in its people. Active defence
of the territory against external invasions and
who tried to conquer the island have – over the
centuries – contributed to the hardness of the
people’s personality.
The main attractions of the island are
undoubtedly its beautiful beaches and the crystal
clear sea,known to be one of the cleanest in the
Mediterranean.However,the numerous historical
sites,such as the archaeological sites of the early
prehistoric times and the nuragic villages,should
not be ignored,as they represent the importance
of the geographical and strategic position of
Sardinia in the Mediterranean.
Many consider Sardinia to be the‘least Italian’
region of all.In fact,its geographic isolation has
led to the development of certain animal and
the white donkey fromAsinara),along with the
preservation of the uniqueness of its language
and traditions that have remained intact over the
centuries.
Geography.
The largest footprint in the
Mediterranean.
Sardinia is an island located in the middle of
the Mediterranean Sea;20 090 km2 make it the
second largest in size.The island’s diamond shape
and resemblance with a large footprint inspired
the Greeks to call it‘Hyknusa’ or‘Ichnussa’
(Ιχνουσσα).
The Romans renamed it‘Sardinae’,hence the
present name,in reference to the legendary
Sardus,son of Hercules,who is said to have led a
group of Lebanese onto the island.
The island’s 64 000 acres of forest plunge into a
good 1 850 km of coastline,making Sardinia the
region with the largest coastal development in
Italy.Sardinia has no high mountains due to the
erosion caused by wind and rain.It is mainly hilly
and characterized by plateaus as well as groups of
smaller hills.
The highest massif is the Supramonte del
Gennargentu,whose peak is Punta La Marmora (1
834 m).The longest river in Sardinia is theTirso,
which joins into the Gulf of Oristano,meanwhile
the only navigable river is riverTemo,that runs
through the romantic town of Bosa.
“Life in Sardinia is probably the best a man
can hope for:twenty-four thousand miles of
forests,countryside and coastlines,
surrounded by a miraculous sea,are what
I would recommend God
give us as Paradise.”
(Fabrizio DeAndré)
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The closure of rivers in some places in the
including Lago Omodeo and Lago Coghinas.
Sardinia has less than 1.7 million inhabitants.
17% of the land is used for agriculture and sheep
farming,a percentage which is almost double of
the European average.Pastoralism and mining,
however,narrate the history of Sardinia and in
more recent times,factories for the production
of chemicals,petroleum and textiles have started
to develop.Highly important for the island’s
economy are also the production and processing
of grain,wine and olive oil.
An ancient history.
Between myths and legends.
Sardinia is that old, its formation seems to date
back to 600 million years ago. From a geological
point of view it is one of the most ancient lands in
Europe,with a seismic risk of zero.
remained virtually isolated for 10 000-8 000 years.
are the 7 000 ‘nuraghi’, scattered throughout the
entire island.Nuraghic villages had been built from
large blocks of very imposing stone in order to
securethepopulationfromattacksbyhostiletribes.
The nuraghi are the most impressive megalithic
monuments in Europe.
Nuragic people worshiped the Mother Goddess,
professed the water cult (made evident by the
multiple holy wells erected near their settlements)
and were highly dedicated to the cult of the dead.
The prehistoric tombs carved into the rock are
called‘Domus de Janas’,literally meaning‘houses of
and statuettes.Today they are the par excellence
symbol of Sardinia.
Nonetheless it is as important to mention the
market towns of the Phoenician-Punic-Roman era,
the Paleo-Christian churches, the riches of the
medieval times and the obvious remnants of the
Spanish domination found across Sardinia.
Nuraghe
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The city is located in the Golfo degliAngeli
(Gulf of theAngels),whose arms encircle it
and – according to a legend – protect its waters.
Cagliari is a city of many faces and a million facets.
Developed around its castle in the heart of the
old town,the city holds narrow alleys and massive
Affectionately called‘Casteddu’ (meaning‘Castle’
in the Sardinian language),Cagliari maintains the
charm of its history.
During the winter months an introspective town,
during summer an explosive city,daily this city is
being built and enriched through the sunshine and
the respect of its inhabitants.
Cagliari is a city that breathes,a city that lives.
South East Coast:Villasimius
When moving towards the east coast,from
Cagliari,the horizons open to those beaches
that are considered amongst the most beautiful
beaches of the island.Villasimius symbolizes this
area,which remains etched in the memory for
transparency of its waters,seemingly painted in
shades of turquoise.Walking along the narrow
country roads that connect towns to coves and
beaches gives way to the Mediterranean shrubs
and virgin landscapes,while the stunning coastal
paths are worth a vacation on its own.
SouthWest Coast:Pula
Leaving Cagliari in the other direction,along the
coast of Pula and on the road that separates the
sea from the pond of Santa Gilla,one reaches the
Molentargius pond).Forth the SS 195,through
different locations from Domus de Maria and
Nora to Chia,one will pass through to those
places that relentlessly contend for the price of
the most beautiful beach.
City of the Sun and capital of the island,cultural and political
centre,international port,home to the university and the
Archbishop,ancient capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia…
Cagliari is all this,and much more.
Cagliari Poetto Beach
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