10 Gallura’s Settings To Visit 0 Comments

Gallura is a fascinating region of Sardinia, famous for its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and unique traditions.
Here are some places we have written about: 

1. Olbia: a tourist’s friendly city.  The morphology has placed the city of Olbia in a privileged position, like a pearl which, looking at the Gulf of Olbia, is set between the coastline on its left which ends with Golfo Aranci and the one on its right which ends in Capo Ceraso, with the Tavolara Island as sentinel. 

2. Tempio Pausania: This picturesque town is known for its granite historic center and traditional stone houses. Don't miss the Church of San Pietro, an example of Romanesque architecture.

3. The Maddalena Archipelago: A splendid archipelago with dream beaches and crystal-clear waters. The main island, La Maddalena, offers a lively atmosphere with restaurants and shops. Its islands were baptized by the Romans Cuniculariae Insulae, "intermediate islands", due to their position between Sardinia and Corsica. Some say it was the mythical land of the Lestrigoni, a people of anthropophagous giants who killed all of Ulysses' sailors. 

4. The Valley Of The Moon Of Capo Testa: Famous for its cliffs and granite rock formations smoothed by the wind and the sea, it is an ideal place for excursions and to admire spectacular sunsets.  It really looks like a lunar landscape where the scent of the Mediterranean scrub dominates and the water is crystal clear, because of its stones, especially at night; tending towards white they give precisely this perception.

5. Castelsardo: the most beautiful borough in Italy: A fascinating medieval village perched on a cliff, known for its castle and its characteristic streets. Don't forget to visit the Cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate, in late Aragonese Gothic style. Not far away, there is the scenic Elephant Rock Stone, with the features of a pachyderm. 

6. Nuragic Archeosite La Prisgiona: one of the most interesting Nuragic sites in north-eastern Sardinia, a Nuragic fortress that tells the story of the evolution of its inhabitants. Its size, structure and position, on a granite relief overlooking the Capichera valley, make it one of the most fascinating sites on the island. 

7. S'Ozzastru: Symbol of longevity and resistance: S'Ozzastru is the silent witness to the thousand-year history of Sardinia, a symbol of nature's ability to resist adversity. Olive trees were often associated with sacred rites and were venerated by the ancient Sardinian populations. It is believed that monumental trees such as S'Ozzastru were considered the home of spirits or deities. It was saved by Gianluigi Bacchetta, a well-known Sardinian botanist, director of the Botanical Garden of Cagliari after being almost completely burned in a fire. 

8. Su Marmuri Cave: one of the largest and most impressive natural caves in all of Europe. The beautiful cave, almost 1 km long, whose ceilings in some places reach a height of almost 50 metres, is in the Ulassai mountains. The route to visit the cave takes about an hour and a half, with a guide who will give all the historical and naturalistic information.  

9. Ziqqurat Monte D'Accoddi: in Sardinia, unique in Europe, there is a Ziqqurat, the one of Monte D'Accoddi, which is the oldest building in Italy and is also the fourth oldest building in the world. It was immediately clear to archaeologists that the excavations were bringing to light something unique. 

10. San Pantaleo: Protected by the granite massif of Cugnana, despite being very close to one of the busiest areas of Sardinia and the wonderful beaches of the Costa Smeralda, this village has succeeded in maintaining its authenticity.

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Written by Daniela Toti