Page 126 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

124  SARDINIA AREA B Y AREA

2 Porto Torres including ceramics, is on display
at the Museo Nazionale in
Road map B2. * 22,000. n 079 50
08 000. ∑ comune.porto-torres.ss.it Sassari (see p167).
The chief port in northern E Antiquarium Turritano
Sardinia lies in the Golfo Via Ponte Romano 99. Tel 079 51
dell’Asinara. Porto Torres was 44 33. Open 9am–8pm Tue–Sun.
known to the Romans as Turris & 8 7
Libisonis, and was once a T Santuario di Monte d’Accoddi
prosperous colony. Trade with Open Apr–Oct: 9am–6pm Tue–Sat (to
the city of Kàralis (today’s 7pm Jul & Aug), 9am–2pm Sun; Nov–
Cagliari) was carried out along Mar: 9am–2pm Tue–Sun. Tel 334 807
the main road on the island. 44 49. & 8 =
Relations with Rome were very
close, as can be seen from the The Romanesque basilica of San Gavino, in
ancient mosaics at the Foro delle Porto Torres 3 Stintino
Corporazioni in Ostia Antica. Road map B2. * 1,200. n Town
After a lengthy period of nuraghic Santuario di Monte Hall (079 52 30 53). _ end Aug: Vela
decline that began in the d’Accoddi. From Porto Torres, Latina; 8 Sep: Santissima Maria Imma-
Middle Ages, Porto Torres head towards Sassari along the colata. ∑ comune.stintino.ss.it
began to recover in the 19th SS131; a short distance after
century, when it became the the Sorso junction (at kilometre The road to Capo Falcone, the
port for Sassari, and again in the marker 222.3) a signposted road northwestern tip of Sardinia,
20th century with the leads to the archaeo logical site. passes by the large wind
de velopment of local industries. The sanctuary dates from the turbines at the Alta Nurra
The basilica of San Gavino is Copper Age (2450–1850 BC) ecological energy plant. Beyond
one of the most important and provides the only example this is the pleasant fishing
Romanesque churches in of a mega lithic altar in village of Stintino (named from
Sardinia, built in the the entire western the Sardinian word s’isthintinu,
Pisan style in 1111. Mediter ranean. or narrow passageway, the
Noteworthy The shape is that traditional name for the inlet
elements are of a truncated where the village lies). Now a
the portal in pyramid with a holiday town, Stintino was once
the northern trapezoid base, important for its tuna fishing
façade, with its supported by grounds, off the island of
15th-century walls of stone Asinara. In the summer the two
bas relief, and blocks. On the ports, Portu Mannu and Portu
the other Gothic southern side, a Minori, have facilities for aquatic
doorway, which ramp leads to the sports of all kinds. The long,
shows Catalan Gold bracelet from the Porto top, about 10 m sandy beach is the most
influences. Torres excavations (33 ft) high, while accessible in the area and
Inside there is a the base is about very popular.
crypt, with access to an area of 30 m by 38 m (98 ft by 124 ft). North of Stintino, the road
late Roman-early Christian ruins, Around the altar you can see skirts the coastline as far as
as well as the 18th-century foundations for houses, some Capo Falcone. The place is still
statues of the martyrs Gavino, sacrificial stone slabs and fallen “defended” by a tower on its
Proto and Gianuario, and a menhirs. A group of domus de highest point and by the two
medieval inscription cele brating janas (rock-cut tombs) was Spanish fortifications at Pelosa and
emperor Constantine. once part of this complex. Isola Piana, in the inlet of Fornelli,
The Terme Centrali The material found at this site, opposite the island of Asinara.
archaeological area presents a
reasonably faithful picture of
an ancient Roman quarter, and
the Antiquarium Turritano
contains finds from the
excavations here. Not far away,
the 135-m (440-ft), seven-
arched Ponte Romano (Roman
bridge) crosses the Mannu river.
Environs
A short distance from here
lies one of the most interesting
sites in ancient Sardinia, the pre- Portu Mannu, one of the two harbours in Stintino
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p178 and p188

124-125_EW_Sardinia.indd 124 11/2/16 12:03 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm