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Sardegna
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Places
of Interest...
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Italy holds
the distinction of having the two largest islands
in the Mediterranean Sea: the largest being Sicilia
and the second being the lesser recognized island
of Sardegna. Often forgotten by others because of
its obscure location from the main peninsula, much
of the island is wildlife area and primeval landscape
filled with rocks, trees and the clear blue waters
of the Mediterranean Sea.
The history of Sardinia dates back
many thousand centuries; in fact the first sure traces
of human presence date back to 100,000 B.C., although
it was only much later, around 6,000 B.C. that the
first permanent settlements were founded. These are
some of the world’s earliest settlement findings.
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Nuraghe
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This culture takes its name from
its most typical monument, the "nuraghe",
and an impressive tower building, in the shape of
a cone, built with large boulders. Over the centuries,
this fortified structure became gradually more elaborate,
with the addition of curtain walls and turrets, thus
requiring a more articulate floor plan.
The Phoenicians who, in the 8th century
B.C. founded the first permanent settlements, selecting
coastal areas with natural harbors, the best locations
for trading and commercial centers. A period of Carthaginian
domination ensued from 500 to 238 B.C. The Romans
came in 238 B.C. spreading their domination also in
the inland areas, where the local people were more
fiercely independent. To that end they established
a strong, efficient administration, well served by
a network of roads, of which some sections remain
and which has in the main been followed by the modern
highway system.
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Torre di Bari
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The decadence of the Roman Empire
had strong repercussions on the island, leading to
the abandonment of agricultural land and of many coastal
settlements, coupled to a reduction in the population.
Sardinia, abandoned to its own resources and defenseless,
was occupied and raided by the Vandals from Africa
for about 80 years (476 - 530 A.D. Later, after their
defeat by the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire,
the island passed under the rule of Byzantium. In
the 9th century A.D., when the Arabs were completing
their conquest of the Mediterranean, North-Africa,
Spain, and part of France and Sicily, the coastal
areas of Sardinia were subject to their raids and
incursions.
The lack of interest or guidance
from distant Byzantium led the Sardinian people to
take charge of their own destiny: as a result, Sardinia
was divided into the four "Giudicato" (Judgeships)
of Arborea, Cagliari, Gallura and Torres, each of
which had an autonomous government, presided over
by a "Giudice" (Judge), and with an administrative
and military organization.
Through various events, in the 13th
century Sardegna lost their independence to the mainland
Italy powers of Pisa and Genoa. Only the Giudicato
of Arborea retained its autonomy until 1478, when
the crown of Aragona finally conquered the whole island,
which already in 1297 had been allotted to it as a
feudal holding by Pope Bonifacio VIII, together with
Corsica.
The new "Regnum Sardiniae"
was later to rank among the overseas domains of the
Spanish Crown until the early XVIII Century. Judgeships
survived until the brief spell of
Austrian domination in1708 to 1718. With the "Treaty
of London" the Regnum Sardiniae was awarded to
the Savoy, princes of Piedmont. Thus, the Kingdom
of Sardinia was founded. Sardegna retained a degree
of autonomy by Statute until 1847, when it was definitely
joined to Piedmont under a single government. After
the wars of Independence, when the Unity of Italy
was achieved, the Kingdom of Sardinia became the kingdom
of Italy (1861).
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Today Sardegna is an "Autonomous
Region" of the Italian Republic and as such,
it is regulated by the Special Statute (1948) As far
as local administration is concerned, Sardegna is
divided into 4 provinces: Cagliari, which is also
the capital city of the region, Sassari, Nuoro and
Oristano. These provinces include in all 377 communities
and have a total population of 1,660,000 (About 40%
of the population of Sicilia), most of which are located
on the coastal areas.
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Sardinia is a complex and many-faceted
island, which in its culture, landscape and art preserves
the traces of its long history, an original, deeply
marked heritage, which today is gradually being rediscovered
and appreciated in all its richness. Despite the simple
lifestyle of the people of Sardegna it has become
the newest hotspot in long list of Italian beach resorts.
In fact the Costa Smeralda, since its development
in the 1950’s is now geared for the worlds elite,
heads of major businesses, millionaires, royalty and
major celebrities go to enjoy the tranquil beaches
and happening nightlife. The beaches are now strictly
controlled in order to maintain their appearance.
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