Island Sardinia, Sardinia en Italian, It is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, a surface 24.000 m2, after Sicily. The capital is the city of Cagliari located south of the island. It is mountainous in more than 75% its surface and has a valuable variety of vegetation and forests.
It can be considered history Sardinia from Prehistory, 2000 years B.C., Proof of this are various caves dug into the rock many of which were used as tombs. A little later the way of life evolves and construction of towers with rocks develops, llamadas nuragas, vestiges of which are at different points along the island, the calls nuragic cities.
The uses to which the nuragic towers are varied, it could be graves, living place, Workplace, Instead of gathering crops, defensive towers, the latter being the most likely and although considered the largest megalithic constructions show the progress of the previous culture construction of monuments such as menhirs and dolmens.
The culture Nuragic, Sardegna own also it spreads on the island of Corsica and extended to the first arrival of the Phoenicians, after the Carthaginians who founded important cities like Nora and later in the second century, the Roman Empire. In the first Punic war the Romans defeated the Carthaginians passing the island became a province of the Empire Romano. Existing cities engrandecen, especially port.
Vandals sacked by Goths and, Sardegna again becomes part of the Empire in the hands of the Byzantines in the sixth century to the tenth century. The Moors and Saracens also attacked the island reason why many people were leaving to less dangerous areas. In the thirteenth century the island became part of the Crown of Aragon until the eighteenth century that is ceded to Austria for a short period, A couple of years later is transferred to the Crown of Savoy through which it will be finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in the mid-nineteenth century.
In Sardegna mainly Italian and Sardinian spoken, although in some places like Alghero Catalan is also heard, due to the presence over a period of Catalan settlers mostly of Barcelona.
Travel
In Sardinia While there are four airports located on the island expansion, Alghero Northeast, Cagliari to the south, Olbia the northwest and Arbatax in the middle of the island on the East Coast. Whichever city you choose as the starting point of the trip is recommended. Surely it departs from near any of the airports of arrival, to turn the island and discover its fantastic cities, Beaches, history, culture, built heritage and natural heritage.
Our tour begins in Alguero, in the Province of Sassari. The medium chosen for our trip was a Volkswagen Camper the years 80, with all the features necessary for adventure, including kitchen, fridge, Beds, etc. Thus we could tour the island, albeit with some points and cities set to meet, stopping in places that called our attention for its beauty and its heritage value. Which it is probably what usually happens to most adventurers.
Alghero It has a historical center that meets medieval features, part of the wall is still visible. We find on our visit buildings of different eras of the city, as well as monuments and interesting religious buildings like the Cathedral of Century XVI. It is a transparent coastal city with a neighboring marina to the old town and amazing white sand beaches and water that seems to change color between blue and emerald according to the place where we appreciate.
After enjoying the wonderful waters of the beach Alghero continue way Puerto Pollo along the route SS291var. The trip was on a hot summer, why had a perfect excuse to stop at the beaches remaining road. Whatever the beach you choose, It will be wonderful. Recommended are the beaches Marina di Sorso, Lu Bagnu, San Pietro a Mare, all on the north coast of the island and turning aside a few kilometers from the motorway or main road.
Since San Pietro al Mare you can take the route SP90, then SP70 and the SS133 to divert the SP98 that will lead us directly to Puerto Pollo.
The particular geography where it is located Porto Pollo He makes the city and its beaches a great place from which we will not want. Again we find wonderful crystal clear waters with extraordinary bright blue. Here are two species of Bahías separated by a narrow strip of land formed, arena, leading to the call Isola Issuleda, which is not itself an island as it is attached to Chicken Porto by this fine track, but that is practically surrounded by water on all sides. This gives a particular physiognomy.
On each side of the road these two beautiful beaches open one on each side thereof. A smaller and the other, called The Sciumara, but extensive. In both hundreds of lovers of water sports gather to practice their favorite sport, especially it is windsurfing and kitesurfing, since the wind is the most auspicious days.
They are truly beautiful Beaches
After crossing the narrow road and already on the island of Issuleda, It is advisable to approach the beaches enjoying the rocks on the east side, from where he also obtained great views.
leaving now Porto Pollo, where a good stay should not be less than 3 days, We take the road SP98 which it is the access to the village and then SS133 and then SS125 in the direction Olbia, way is Porto Cervo, city that have not entered, but it is one that is as interesting tourist spot.
We arrived to Olbia, a port city where you will also find a valuable cultural heritage. Its pedestrian streets are very lively and there is always something interesting to enjoy. Within the historic center is the church San Paolo Apostle.
The Church of St. Paul the Apostle It has been built on the runes of a Roman temple. It is a building dating back probably in the fifteenth century with successive modifications and including during the eighteenth century Baroque elements. The rectangular temple was changed to a Latin cross with transept and dome, externally beautifully covered in majolica.
Outside the historic center we find the Basilica of San Simplicio, patron of Olbia. It is considered one of the most important buildings in this area of the island. It built in the XI century in Romanesque style, with characteristic sobriety and little decoration. You may also this temple has been built on another building of cult of the Roman era. The construction of this building was done in two stages, It is having been completed in the twelfth century. In the first stage the walls, the apse, columns and vaulted ceiling of the aisles and in a second stage the nave rises and trusses of the roof are made. It is built of granite almost entirely. Inside the three naves they are divided by arcades supported by pilasters and columns.
After the tour of the city Olbia We continue our journey towards Santa Lucia. There are several options on the way, either by the coastal path or by an internal route.
Lucia es una pequeña ciudad sobre la costa este. Interesting beaches and water sports possibilities. While it is a simple city offers for the varied possibilities nights to dine and drink in pleasant bars and good atmosphere.
We start now to Cagliari, from Santa Lucia along the route that brings us almost to the west coast. First by the SS131dcn and then the E25 motorway that will lead us directly to the capital city. But before and about 30km from Oristano is the Complex Nuragico Santa Cristina, Archaeological park in worth to stop and visit. The Park includes a tower nuragica, the people and the sacred well of Santa Cristina and temple. Finos roads lead us in the path of the park allowing easily see all the monuments. Before the construction of circular planes are the same for better performance. The nuragic towers dating from the 1500 to.C. are circular stone constructions with a staircase inside surrounding, main camera and various cells. A little further away from the tower and the town is the Sacred Well that it is also possible to descend a wide staircase.
After the visit to the archaeological park continue way Cagliari, capital of Sardinia, retaking the motorway E25
Like all capitals, Cagliari is an important city, with plenty to see and enjoy. It is located on the coast and has an important commercial port where many boats are arriving in large numbers, tourist. Neighbor to the harbor area are some parks and green spaces where reponernos while observing the entry and exit of vessels and the environment into the city. Found evidence to suggest that the place where the city is now implemented, It would have been inhabited since the Neolithic. There are also archaeological finds from the Bronze Age, also found in the area nuraghi and sacred wells.
Starting from the Marina you can make an interesting tour of the city, have a view of it and know its main monuments, religious and administrative buildings.
One of the main buildings that make up the heritage of the Church Cagliari, Sanctuary Bonaira, on the square Bonaira 15 minute walk from the Marina.
He Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaira It is in a privileged land on a hill in the city of Cagliari. It is two temples, the smallest dating from the fourth century was the first to be built, annexed thereto is the largest temple, attached thereto the convent is, founded by Friar Catalano, who would have traveled to Catalonia and entered the order of the Mercedarios, thus completing the set.
La Patrona and history
Our Lady of Bonaira or Good Air is the Patroness of Sardinia and also patron saint of sailors. His image represents the Virgen de la Candelaria. Jaime II of Aragon and his sailors landed in the vicinity of the hill Bonaira, so named for being an area within the city where the air is purer. According to various accounts the Spanish boat, coming from Catalunya, It would have managed to reach the island in the middle of a storm and then jettison the entire load, a 2 February. Among the objects thrown overboard was a box that floated on the banks open and found the image of the Virgen de la Candelaria. Thankful marine enthroned on the altar of the small temple the image of the Virgin. This miracle spread very quickly throughout the island, thus becoming the Virgin protector of sailors.
In 1536, Spanish sailors under the command of the first advance to Rio de la Plata, Pedro de Mendoza, They reach the coasts of Rio de La Plata. In Uruguayan coast to await 2 February, day of the Virgin of Bonaira, to found, in what is today Argentina, the city would be its capital and give the city the name of the Virgin, Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires. That is, the city of Buenos Aires, refounded in 1580 by Juan de Garay in the vicinity of the first foundation, You owe its name to Our Lady of Bonaira.
Mercedarios monks built the monastery where still live. The Basilica we can visit today by the small temple, begins to build in the early eighteenth century, to honor the Virgin of Bonaira, with a project born with the characteristics of Baroque style and then modified the neoclassical, It is finished constructing in 1925. It affected by bombing during the war was several times restored.
Otros Monumentos interesantes a visitar en Cagliari:
– Church of Sant'Agostino
– Treasure Museum and archaeological area of Santa Eulalia
– Cathedral of Santa María de Cagliari, which it is located in an elevated area of the city, allowing for the visitor and for the way up, get magnificent views of the city and the sea. The tempo is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin and Santa Cecilia. Built in Romanesque style in the XIII century, transforming the Baroque in the seventeenth century and modified neo-romantic facade to the early twentieth century. It is built within the walls of Castel di Castro. A square original plant, it is added in the fourteenth century, from cruise, becoming a Latin cross. The present church has three naves and side chapels. In the eighteenth century the octagonal cupola is incorporated into the cruise that allows distinguish it from a distance.
– Church of Santa Clara Church of Santa Clara
– Independence Square
– Church of Santa Lucia
– Church of San Antonio Abad
– Bastion Santa Caterina
– Bastion of Santa Cruz
– City center, shopping areas and pedestrian streets.
Also in Cagliari we can enjoy beautiful beaches. To some 15 minutes from downtown, a 10 km, it's found poet, with an extensive and beautiful beach of clear sand and crystalline waters. Care summer season and weekends as it is usually overwhelmed and can be difficult to find a site.
Starting now Cagliari, we headed Is Solinas.
There we find a private beach next to the lagoon Porto Bote They inhabited by pink flamingos. It is a long and narrow ideal for lovers of kite surfing beach and here the winds are favorable for the practice of this sport. It is an area somewhat rough, a place to take a break and enjoy the particular view that is drawn in the sky with colorful kits moving from side to side of the beach.
neighbor Porto Bote, a 9 km on the SP73, you get to Porto Pino where we find two areas of beaches, one shallow waters ideal for families and the other more rugged ideal for Kite surf lovers. On the beach of Porto Pino is a simple camping with direct access to the beach.
Leaving Puerto Pino and before continuing with the turn of the island, We decided to visit the Nora Archaeological Park, a 50 km from Cabo Pino and 40 km from Cagliari. On the road and heading Is Solinas We find wonderful beaches, as Sa Canna, where it is worth stopping at least admire the wonderful views.
Inside of town of Pula, it's found Nora, located in a strategic position on the southern coast of Sardinia. It is a city probably founded by the Phoenicians, although some vestiges suggest that previously been nuragica city. But it was with the Phoenicians, in the eighth century B.C., along with other cities founded in the region, Nora becomes important trading. With the Roman Empire, Nora becomes capital of Sardinia and the city takes on a boom. It is strengthened as a center of commercial traffic between Europe and North Africa. The Romans give the city all the elements of Roman cities, theaters, hot spring, forum, houses, infrastructure, axis main roads of the city, thistle and decumans, remains of which can be appreciated in the archaeological park open to the public that offers guided tours really worth making. In the V century, incursions by vandals and pirates made the city decay. Later withdrawal and with the population inland to safer areas, Nora goes from town to fortress. Neighbor Nora and a few kilometers away is Pula, where you will also find part of the history of the place.
Returning to the path and starting from Nora, we arrived to Divide, on the beach excellent campsite where it provides very good service it is also located, being able to camp with tents, autocarabanas located in plots or rent comfortable boungalous. Chia beach is truly beautiful, white sand and crystalline waters as we have found around the whole island. It is a highly recommended beach for families and for single couples or groups.
Chia From the road we return E25 to arrive at Oristano. From there, to some 20 km to the west coast, we approach San Giovanni de Sinis, a charming little town where it is possible to visit the Church of San Giovanni of Sinis and the parque arqueológico de Tharros.
Archaeological studies indicate that this site would have worked one nuragica city and then in the eighth century would Phoenicians founded Tharros on the remains of the city. City engrandecerían then the Romans. Because successive invasions the city is abandoned by the tenth century and many of the materials are used for other buildings in nearby areas.
During the visit to this archaeological park, you can see remnants of the baths, theater, streets, hot spring, households, temple, the sacred place of the Phoenicians, El Tofet.
It is one of the many privileged areas of the island, where the beaches are really wonderful. Impossible not to stop and enjoy the place and is also highly recommended.
15km Tharros found an excellent camping near Torre Grande, neighbor to the beach and with very good facilities. There we decided to stay to enjoy one of the last nights of our adventure for this fantastic island.
To complete the rotation around the island we start Torre Grande toward Alghero, city that was the starting point of our journey.
Really around the island of Sardinia or Sardinia in Spanish, It is a very interesting ride make. All the island, their cities, their beaches, its cultural and natural heritage, They provide valuable opportunities of enjoyment for all visitors. Both those sun lovers and beach, as water sports lovers and those who have an interest in archeological sites and history. The tour was conducted in two weeks and I consider it a sufficient time for adventure, although it could of course extend slightly. An adventure, truly, highly recommended.
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No this allowed,without proper authorization, the use or copy of the written material, information written and / or graphic, photographs and any items published in the Blog www.portalciudadspots.com