The first impression after reaching the shore convinces the visitors, that Sardinia is nothing but a nice quiet island.
Numerous coves hidden from the winds in the rocks, long silent beaches with white sand and some picturesque caves opened towards the sea sustain this image, especially on Costa Smeralda, which recently became the luxury spa for rich and famous from all over the world.
tourquoise waters of Sardinia
Numerous tourists came to Sardinia, like many other nations in the past. Phoenicians and Romans left their traces in Tharros and Cagliari, merchants from Pisa and Genova tributed to buildings in Sassari, and Alghero keeps Spanish culture and even the language.
But no one of the invaders did conquer the whole island.
At the end of long bay Golfo di Orosei, behind the caves of Cala Gonone Nuoro the land is completely different.
The sharp rocks covered with macchia ( thicket) and wild thyme blocks the entry into the savage Gennargent mountains, where the Sardinian highlanders found their refuge.
The small villages hidden in the mountains became the real shelter from the invaders. The proud highlanders keep their local customs and language ‘unspoiled’ by the foreign influence.
They may probably be the descendants from another mysterious nation, which left no written language, but the bizarre constructions of unknown purpose.
There are remains of some 7 000 of such buildings called nuraghe ( pl. nuraghi), which are scattered all over the island. The most interesting complex of nuraghi is situated in Su Nuraxi near Barumini. The last nuraghi were built about 2 400 years ago.
Any island even the smallest one wouldn’t be the part of Italy without at least one vineyard. As one can expect Sardegna features a wide spectrum of local wine, popular is also olive’s oil and the dairy products from sheep breeding. The fish bring the attention of other visitors, including monk seals and flamingos, large population of the last ones lives near Cagliari.
The opposite side of the island is famous of large but shrinking today coral colonies at the bed of the sea near Alghero.
[photo courtesy of jihan65]