Sardinia, a special island

Sardinia, a special island

There are places who let you amazed, because of their spectacular monuments, others for their natural landscapes and then there is Sardinia. “Uninterrupted reign of the mastic, of the waves that stream the ancient granites, of the dog rose of the wind, of the immensity of the sea” – as it was said by Grazia Deledda, one of the most important poet in the Sardinia’s litterature.

A land which distinguish from the others because of its long and enchanting rock paths, where wild creatures live, but especially where the link with tradition and superstition is still alive – as I prefer to describe it. 

Why Sardinia

If you are wondering why I’ve chosen to begin talking about Sardinia, the answer is very simple and it is that here it is where I had the chance to be born and to spend my childhood and adolescence, till the University time, when this place has evolved more in my vacation spot than my residence.

 

About Sardinia

Despite the almost forced distance, however, it is difficult to forget its unique value. With a surface of 24100,02 km2, Sardinia, or better Ichnusa, as the Greek population used to call it, is the largest island in the Mediterranean sea, after Sicily; the first region in Italy for the length of its coast – corresponding to 1849 km

Sardinia - Stintino

Aromas and flavors

Anyway, what makes Sardinia special for us, as Sardinian, is not the crystal clear water, of which we do not hesitate to boast with pride – from the Pelosa beach in Sassari province, through Cala Mariolu or Goloritzé in Nuoro province, until you get to the South to the Scoglio di Peppino and the go up on the opposite side to Cumpultituttu (Bosa) – but rather the wonderful scent of mastic, olive, juniper and myrtle which, not surprisingly, is also used as a liquor; the amazing limestone caves, scattered through the island, like the one of Nettuno in Alghero; the aromas of the countryside, which become more intense with the first rain in autumn; its cheeses, always tasty, as well as some of the desserts that are prepared on the occasion of popular festivals and, of course, its atmosphere pure, genuine and with the scent of saltiness.

Nettuno caves - Alghero

Genuine air

It is enough to go down from the stairs of a flight in one of the several airports which are in the island to get a proof of it. The respiratory track opens, causing a slight tingling followed by a few brief sneezing, which is immediately replaced by the aromas of the close beach.  

Small and welcoming towns

As a Sardinian person, born and lived in Sardinia from generations, I cannot forget to mention also its villages, small and with few inhabitants, but rich in history, archeological finds and murals. Among the others, for example, the one of San Sperate, a little town in the South of Sardinia, which is inhabited by just 8000 people, but where the peach and lemon fragrance accompany the traveler to a wonderful open air museum, full of murals.

Sardinia - San Sperate

This one is just 50 km far from Nora’s archeological complex.  Founded by the Phoenicians at the end of the VIII or VII century B.C., this place, like others, that you can find through the region is a testimony of the antiquity of the island.

Nora
Sardinia is, indeed, among the most ancient land in the world, not just from a geological point of view – it seems that it was born at least 500 millions of years ago – but also from the one of the first human settlement, of which the nuraghe is a testimony. Plus it is the best place, if you’re looking to a way out from the stress of the routine. As the life here goes really slow, it is easy to find a bit of peace and to immediately feel like home, also thanks to the well known hospitality of its inhabitants.

Traditions and culture

Who was born and grown, here, though, is aware that Sardinia is especially culture and popular tradition, as the one of the Janas, little fairies who were living in the so called Domus (or house). Or the one of the accabbadora who, as Michela Murgia tells in the homonym book, represented the person who had the role to accompany people dying to their last breath.
 
Or last but not least the popular feasts, such as the one of Sant’Efisio or the cavalcade, kind of celebrations which are repeated every year, and during which men and women can wear the ancient traditional costumes. Every village, or almost, has one in a different colour and style and it’s normal to compete between each other to decide which one has the most beautiful one.
 
Costumi tradizionali

Flaws 

Of course, also a so special place like this has some flaws. Although this is generally a land pure and incontaminated, in this territory you can find some industrialized areas, as the one in Porto Torres, where the air is not so clean and healthy. To this, we can add the slowness or almost total inexistence of means of transport: two of the main cities, Cagliari and Sassari, are connected by a train, which takes 4 hours or more to go across 200 km.

And last but not least, the lack of job opportunities. As many people know, Sardinia is a quite touristic place, which makes it possible to find jobs in this field. However, if you have a different passion, it might be difficult to pursue your dream. According to what the data shows, 3500 people leave the island every year to go to another country, 10000 more go to other Italy’s regions.

Conclusions

A real pity if you think on how many good qualities Sardinia has and what it could offer to many people. On the other hand, the beauty of this strip of land, emerged from the Mediterranean sea, is also due to this: on its being damned isolated and impassable and, for this reason, still rich in natural landscapes, historical remains and traditions. As Fabrizio De André used to say 

“life in Sardinia is maybe the best that a man could wish for: twenty four kilometers of forest, countryside, coasts surrounded by a stunning sea, should coincide with what I would suggest the good God to give us a Paradise”.