Sardinia's Past

We all love Sardinia, this wonder of nature. The turquoise sea, the white sands, the undisturbed countryside, the picturesque rocky coasts and the typical small villages in thecountryside with their friendly people and beloved traditions.But who actually knows something about the centuries ofhistory that have transpired on this island? Even if the visitorencounters the history of the island everywhere he goes,bearing witness to the highly eventful past, only little is familiar.

The Phonecians already settled the land in the 9th Century,and the two mighty pillars that stand above the Gulf ofOristano in Tharros are a testament to their presence.Tharros, a port in the strategic area on the west coast, wasthe starting point for further settlements. Among these wasKalari (the present day Cagliari) as well as Nora and Sulki.Soon the island was an important transfer point for trade inthe Mediterranean region. The impressive culture of theNuragi with their fortresses, towers and stone menhirs, datesback to these early times. The island also pleased theCarthaginians: the remains of the temple from Antas offersan idea of the beauty of ancient architecture. The Romansfinally dedicated themselves to extracting the rich mineral resources andsent their prisoners to the mines. Among them was PopePontianus, who in the year 235 was banished to Sardinia. Later, the island was claimed by the Byzantines and Arabs.The so-called “Giudicati di Sardinia” (provinces of Sardinia)were founded, among which is Cagliari with the same name as the capital, today known as the “city of white towers.”A beautiful example of this is pictured here in the Elephant Tower. After the island was possessed by Pisa, Aragon andSpain, it finally became the independent kingdom of Sardiniain 1718.To explore the diverse evidence of an eventful past, whichis left behind in the form of clues from different cultures, is anattractive undertaking. And the visitor who embarks upon it isrichly rewarded. We, who have always loved the island forthe beauty of its nature, have an additional reason to do so.