Rough gude to Sardinia: Cagliari - Pula - Chia [Travel Guide]

SARDINIA

„In Italy you won’t find what you find in Sardinia and in Sardinia you won’t find what you find in
Italy“ that wrote the natural scientist and Jesuit monk Francesco Cetti during a visit at the end of
the 18th century .

Sardinia, that means respect for the traditions which are deeply laid down in the minds of the
people and they are living them day by day. This means passionate resistance against every
invasion as a result of an ancient and constant fight against the ambitious Mediterranean
Empires who wanted to enlarge their territories. During the course of the history the Sardinians
had only few contact with the sea. Their history and their activities developed in the interior part
of the country where they retired in order to escape from the coasts that were occupied by the
invaders and conquerors. There they developed a civilisation which is firmly connected with the
mountains and plains as well as the meadows. The origins of the Sardinian economy lay in the
animal breeding (especially sheep) and agriculture.

Sardinia has a lot to offer! Most peoples visit the second biggest island in the Mediterranean sea
because of it’s 1.850 km long coast line and the crystal clear seawater that gleams in all facets of
green, blue and turquoise. In fact, the water around Sardinia is among the cleanest in whole
Mediterranean basin.

On the other hand there is a lot of history to discover: thousands of years old archaeological sites
are testimonies of the strategic and geographic importance of Sardinia and the peoples who
settled on it. Starting with the prehistoric tombs caved in the rocks – Domus de Janas, followed
by the “nuraghe” buildings which are unique in Sardinia and the most monumental and
astonishing buildings of the ancient history after the pyramids – giant tombs, sacred wells
continuing with Phoenician-Punic-Roman trade centres and commercial cities – Paleo-Christian
churches, Medieval abundance and richness and the Spanish occupation as well as the modern
live of today.

Centuries old traditions, wild, uncontaminated nature, intact landscapes give Sardinia a strong
taste of originality – get enchanted by the magic of the island!

Also discover the interior of the country the landscapes where olive trees grow on granite rocks
and longhair sheep graze the highland meadows around the villages of the mountains.

Feasts in Sardinia beaches of Sardinia

Featured by Charming Sardinia www.charmingsardinia.com tel.: +39 070 513 489 fax: +39 070 554 964 E-Mail: booking@charmingsardinia.com

GEOGRAPHIC ASPECTS

Sardinia is situated almost in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a surface of almost
24‘090 km2 and is therefore the second biggest island of Italy and the whole Mediterranean Sea.
It’s about 3 times Corsica and 7 times Mallorca. The rhomboidal shape of the island explains the
name that it was given by the Greek Ichnusa (Icnos = trace footprint) and Sandaliotis (sandal).
The Roman name Sardinae is supposed to result from the legendary Sardus son of Hercules,
who is supposed to have brought a group of Libyans to the island.

Sardinia has a lot of space and landscape but the population is rather few with only 1.7 million
inhabitants. 17% are occupied with sheep breeding and agriculture which is the double of the
European average. In Sardinia there are about the double of sheep rather than inhabitants!

Sardinia is mostly hilly, the biggest mountain massif is the Supramonte – Gennargentu in the
centre of the island. The highest summit is Punta La Marmora with 1‘834 m. Nevertheless the
mountain chains seem very majestic because of their bizarre granite rocks looming up to the sky.
The steep cliffs of the mountains that end in the sea on the West and East coast, the fertile
plains, of the West or the fjords in the North are typical imagines of this very individual island.

The short rivers which deserve their name only in spring during the melting of the snow and the
rain period. After short flooding periods most of them dry out in summer. The biggest river is the
Tirso. It has its source in the mountains close to Buddusò and leads to the Golf of Oristano. The
only navigable river is the Temo which passes through Bosa. When the river deltas were dried
out in order to extinguish the marshland because it was dominated by malaria flies which transmit
the malaria disease until the 1950’s, the water was blocked and accumulated at the beginning of
many rivers. In this way small lakes were created like the Lago Omodeo (not far from the Tirso),
the Lago Coghinas etc. In the rivers there can be found eels, trouts and mullets.

Sheep breading and minery have a long tradition in Sardinia. Coal, iron, lead, zinc, copper and
silver were mined. Lead and zinc mineries were founded as well as petrol refineries, chemical
and textile works. In the Gallura, in the North-East of Sardinia, there are many granite caves and
also the cork production and elaboration is an important economic branch. Another good is sea
salt from the Salinas of Cagliari for example which has been traded since ancient times. But
Sardinia is also famous for wine- and olive-oil production.

Sardinia has about 64‘000 acres forest territory with mostly cork oaks which are the origin of this
branch. Sardinia for a long time was leader in the cork production until it was passed by Portugal
and Spain.


HISTORY

In order to understand Sardinia better we would like to introduce you to Sardinian history.
Sardinia never “made” history but Sardinia had always to stand it.

Some parts of Sardinia are 600 million years old. The island has situated in its today’s position for
65 million years. Geologically it is one of the oldest territories of Europe, older than Italy, and has
been inhabited for about 10.000 – 8.000 years

The Sardinian people of the prehistory lived in villages with huts or pile dwellings, in grottos along
the lagoons or in megalithic fortresses (nuraghs). Their religion consisted in the symbols of life
and fertility. They worshiped the mother goddess and the bull deity, did the death cult and buried
their death in tombs caved in the rock which were called “Domus de Janas” – fairy tombs.

From the year 2.200 – 1.800 B.C. other peoples of the East arrived in Sardinia, spread over the
whole island and constructed buildings megalithic style, that means with big stone blocks, on
heights, on the promontories or at the valley’s ends. From this nuraghe civilisation there are still
today 7’000 nuraghe ruins on the island. The nuraghe people worshiped the water cult with their
sacred wells “pozzo sacro” and venerated their ancestors with the “giant tombs” by offering
them bronze figures.

archaeological monuments historical monuments


CAGLIARI

The main town of Sardinia is one of the oldest cities in
Europe. The area around Cagliari has been settled for at
least 3.000 years. The Phoenicians who came around the
year 1.000 – 900 B.C. to Sardinia and established
commercial places and storage houses had their centre on
the Laguna S. Gilla where today the airport is situated.
When Carthage in the 6th century B.C. achieved more
commercial and political importance than their homeland
also the Phoenician places on Sardinia became
Carthaginian colonies.

„Karalis“ was nominated for the first time as a city foundation and the settlement enlarged slowly
from along the today’s viale Trieste in direction to via Roma. 239 B.C. when the Punic lost the
war against the Romans Sardinia became a Roman colony.

During the Roman domination the city centre run from Piazza del Carmine to via Regina Elena.
Especially in the Marina quarter testimonies of the Roman period were found. After the
decadence of the Roman Empire in 455 A.C. for 80 years Sardinia came under the domination of
the Vandals which lasted about 80 years.

Until the year 800 A.C. the island suffered from the incursions and attacks of Sarazenes, pirates
and Arabs. During the domination of Emperor Justitian I. Sardinia was brought back to the East
Roman Empire. The island together with Corsica and the Balearic islands was part of the diocese
Africa which was part of the Byzantine Empire. Because of the distance to Byzance the
connection between them was rather weak. Therefore Sardinia was able to develop a kind of
independence und the island was divided in four parts. These areas were called “Giudicati”.
Every area was governed by a “judge” who had the entire might.

However, the judges were not able to stop the invasions of the Arabs and when in 1014 the
Arabian fleet appeared in front of the Sardinian coast the Marine Republics Genoa and Pisa
came to help the Sardinian people. Once they drove the Arabs away they settled on Sardinia: the
Genoese in the North and the peoples from Pisa in the South and an important exchange of
knowledge, methods, handcraft took place. Sardinia was living a prosperous period of commerce
and trade.

On the limestone hill which overlooks the Gulf of Cagliari called “Angel’s Gulf”, the peoples of
Pisa built a fortress “The Castello”. On the Castello hill in the Castello quarter all the important
public offices were located. It was the religious, economic al and political seat of Cagliari until 100
years ago.


CAGLIARI

In 1323 the Aragonese army conquered Cagliari and so slowly the whole island. They introduced
a feudal system and the island and the local inhabitants were exploited and hat no civil rights. In
1708 after the Spanish heritage war Cagliari was assigned to the Habsburg court and became
Austrian. In 1717 the Spanish tried again to re-conquer the Sardinian main town. In 1718 they
were forced to leave it to the Savoyan court but they assured their privileges until 1836.

The economic and social problems which had appeared in 400 years of Spanish reign remained
unresolved until 1836 when the feudal system was abolished.

In 1861 Italy was united thanks to the efforts of Giuseppe Garibaldi and Sardinia became Italian.
All that conquerors left traces in the main town of the island therefore one can find Phoenician-
Punic-Roman testimonies as well as Byzantine, Romanic-Pisan, Gothic-Catalan and Piemontese
Barock. A visit of Cagliari means also to get in touch with the various epochs of the Sardinian
history.


SOUTH COAST –
PULA AND SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA

IN GENERAL

The small town Pula is situated 35 km away from Cagliari and has about 6’500 inhabitants. It was
founded in the 10th century B.C. not far from the ancient Phoenician-Punic-Roman trade city
Nora. At Nora you can admire the interesting ruins still today.

In the centre of Pula the archaeological museum is situated where findings of the excavation of
Nora are exhibited. The most interesting pieces, however, can be admired in the Archaeological
National Museum of Cagliari.

The main economic activities are tourism and agriculture. A part of the Sulcis mountains which
cover the South West of Sardinia belong to the area of Pula as well as the National Forest
Pixinamanna north of Pula where the intense green of the “Machia Mediterranea“ (Mediterranean
vegetation) changes with the red of the impressive summits of the granite mountains.

Besides of the sea and beaches there is a variety of other natural places to discover and enjoy!


SOUTH COAST –

BEACHES

Santa Margherita di Pula is the Name of the area south west of Pula. There are a series of hotels
and (private) holiday houses. Many of the beaches of Santa Margherita di Pula are private.
Therefore, but also because of the marvellous natural setting, it is recommendable to drive to
Chia.

It is well known that the beaches and dunes of Chia are enchanting. There are also many salt
water lagoons where you can watch flamingos at certain times of the day. Along the Sardinian
coast you can see Guardian towers of the Spanish period. The Spanish King let them built in the
17th century in order to facilitate the surveying of the Sardinian coasts and – in case of enemy
approach – to inform as fast as possible the next military camp.

LEISURE

During summer time in the Roman amphitheatre of Nora or in the pittoresk Village of Pula there
are lectures of poetries and small concerts. One well known is „la notte dei poeti“.


SOUTH COAST –

The grotto „Is Zuddas“ near by Santadi. Unique concretions of minerals and crystals up
to 600 million years old!

FEATS & TRADITIONS

In Sardinia traditions are an important part of the daily life. There are many folklore activities
during which the population like fishermen, shepherds and farmers pass the ancient information
and knowledge of the local beliefs and uses. Guests are always welcome on Sardinian feasts
and so old traditions, history, hospitality and the pleasure of staying in company melt together
and every participant will enjoy himself.

The most famous and biggest feast in Sardinia is Sant Efisius which takes
place every year in Cagliari from 1st to 4th May in honour of the Sardinian
Saint patron. The wooden statue of the Saint is carried from its church in
Cagliari to its church in Nora where the martyr S. Efisio was executed in
303 A.C. This means – 35 km by foot! The celebration though Cagliari is
especially picturesque and many folklore groups in their costumes come
to Cagliari from everywhere in Sardinia and you can watch lovely and
carefully decorated ox-carts and horses with flowers.


SOUTH COAST –

- In June the harvest feast of the figs takes place in Domus de Maria. Especially Chia is famous
for its figs.

- In August the hunting feast of the boar takes place again in Domus de Maria. There are many
boars in the forests of Sardinia.

- Again in August the “Mauritanian Wedding” takes place in Santadi.

Shopping in Pula

The main street is Corso Vittorio Emanuele which leads to the “Piazza del Popolo”. Along the
main street there can be found the archaeological museum, the town hall (municipio),
pharmacies, cafeterias and of course – shops.

More shops, bars, pizzerias, restaurants around Piazza del Popolo but also in the surroundings
of Pula. There are several supermarkets, one for example is in viale Europa.

Our hotels suggested www.charmingsardinia.com are:

Forte Village Resort Suite – S. Margherita di Pula
http://www.charmingsardinia.com/sardinia/hotel-pula/forte-village-resort.html

Villa del Parco & Spa – Forte Village Resort – S. Margherita di Pula
http://www.charmingsardinia.com/sardinia/wellness_hotel/villa_del_parco.html

Is Molas Golf Hotel – Pula
http://www.charmingsardinia.com/sardinia/hotel_pula/is_molas_golf_club.html


SOUTH COAST –

GASTRONOMY

Corte Noa Restaurant-Pizzeria-Disco – along the main road S.S. 195 Km 32’300 (Località Santa
Margherita di Pula), in July, August on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday discotheque.

I giardini di Alice, Restaurant–Pizzeria with dancing, Pula KM 28 SS 195, phone
n° 070 9209104

Bars and Restaurants in Pula / Nora
- Irish Pub – Via XXIV Maggio 9
- Bar Su Nuraghe – Piazza del Popolo 57
- Bar L'Incontro – Piazza del Popolo
- Bar Cocktail – Via Nora 92
- Restaurant-Pizzeria Le Terme di Nora – Viale Nora
- Restaurant Su Guventeddu – Località Su Guventeddu
- Restaurant I Millenari – Località Sa Perda Fitta
- Restaurant Sa Macinera – Via Nora 68
- Restaurant Il Buongustaio – Via Porrino 36
- Restaurant-Pizzeria Eleonora – Via Nora 37 along the main road SS 195

Restaurants in S. Margherita
- Restaurant Su Talleri – S.S. 195 Km 32.000 (Località Peddana) – fish specialities (not far from
the Corte Noa bar, pizzeria, dancing)
- Restaurant-Pizzeria La Quercia - S.S. 195 Km 41.200 (Località Santa Margherita)
- Restaurant-Pizzeria Sa Launedda - S.S. 195 Km 34.700 (Località Santa Margherita)

You can get more information from your Charming Sardinia Team or at the hotel reception.

NIGHTLIFE
Sa Launedda Restaurant and Disco SS195 KM 34.70
Tsunami Disco SS195 KM 30,00


CHIA

Chia is an area which became famous mainly because of its beautiful beaches and dunes. From
Capo Spartivento North Africa is only 180 km away. The area is especially known by windsurfers.

In Chia there are many holiday houses which are used only during summer. It ist administrated
by the town of Domus de Maria which is situated about 10 km away from the coast on the
countryside.

GASTRONOMY

If you follow the road to Chia after having taken the deviation from the main road SS 195 you’ll
arrive at the restaurant MIRAGE, Viale del Porto 10, phone n° 070 923 0249

After about 500 m on the same road there is the bar and supermarket Mongittu. There is also the
deviation to Torre Chia and the Guardian tower is there is a Restaurant-Pizzeria which is open
only in high season, phone n° 070 923 0054

The beach restaurant of the hotel Le Merdien Chia Laguna is also open for clients who don’t stay
in the hotel. DUNE DI CAMPANA, Loc. Chia, phone n° 070 923 0158

In the Chia Village Centre is a Restaurant-Pizzeria IL CHIOSTRO, phone n° 070 923 0334

RAINBOW PUB – Ristorante-Pizzeria, via Isonzo 3/b, phone n° 070 923 6363

Restaurant CRARE 'E LUNA for fish specialities, viale Chia, Loc. Spartivento,
phone n° 070 9230056.

NIGHTlFE

Baia Chia Disco & Cafè in Chia

Our suggested hotel of www.charmingsardinia.com is:

Hotel Aquadulci – Chia
http://www.charmingsardinia.com/sardinia/hotel_chia/hotel_aquadulci.html


GENERAL INFORMATION

Bus Public busses are more frequent during the main season (June – September).

Car rental Charming Sardinia will helps you with renting a car. Please follow this link
http://res.rent.it/sites/EN/Default.aspx?l=EN&siteid=13-80B6E139

Doctor In case of emergency the hotel reception calls a doctor at any time.
Important: You will have to pay right away for every visit. Please keep the receipt
in order to get refunded by your insurance.

Drinking water Water is very precious in Sardinia. Water from the tap generally is clean, if not
indicated differently. However, we recommend to use bottled water for drinking.
There is “frizzante/con gas“ (sparkling) or “naturale/senza gas“ without carbonic
acid.

Golf 18-hole-camp Is Molas Golf Club in S. Margherita di Pula is international known

Horseback Horseback riding and scuba diving places are possible in the surrounding.
Riding / Diving The hotels or the Charming Sadinia team will give you more information.

Markets Typical Italian markets where you can get fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese but also
clothes, shoes, leather articles, household and handcraft articles. They take
place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
Tuesday Pula – around the sport camp
Wednesday Quartu S. Elena – in Via San Benedetto (food & cloths)
Sunday Cagliari – Flee market
daily Cagliari – “Mercato San Benedetto“ (food)

Post office «Ufficio Postale» in Pula – in Via Monte Santo or Via San Giovanni
General opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 08.30 – 13.00h
Kosten für Briefe und Postkarten 0.65 Euro

Precious objects Cash, cheques, jewellery and other precious objects can be deposited in the
hotel safe or in your room safe. No hotel is responsible if precious objects are
stolen from your hotel room.

Shopping Usually the shops are open as follows:
Morning 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Evening 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and in tourist areas during high season shops are
often open from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Souvenirs Baskets, products of cork, wooden sculptures or caved patterns on furniture,
ceramics, hand-woven Sardinian carpets, embroidery, golden jewellery and
leather articles.

Sardinian wines are among the best in Italy. The Romans called Sardinia “a
swimming vineyard”. You can find good Sardinian wines in every supermarket.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Sport On the beach in Chia you find some surf or scuba centre. It is also a very nice
area to bike and hike.

Tips Normally tip is included. However, every employee of the hotel will be pleased
about a further recognition. In the restaurants, if not especially indicated, tips are
not included and you are expected to give about 10% of the amount of the bill.

Traffic rules It’s compulsory to fasten the seat belt.
Speed limit is 50 km/h within cities.
There are no highways in Sardinia. The speed limit on the “superstradas = SS”
the fast roads is 90 km/h.
Drive carefully and defensive, Italian drivers can hardly be previewed.
Always be aware of animals (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) on the road, especially in
the mountain regions. Keeping animals in stables is not very common in
Sardinia.
In the case you may have an accident please always call “Polizia” or
“Carabinieri” and fill out the accident report “CID”. Your rent car is insured
therefore you can’t do without the damage report. Please note the no-claims
bonus. We ask you kindly to inform the Charming Sardinia Team.

Sardinian handmade products


SARDINIAN SPECIALITIES

Carta da Musica very thin flat bread

Pane Frattau Carta di Musica with tomato sauce and fried eggs

Zuppa Gallurese a kind of “Lasagne” bread with broth baked in the oven

Gnocchetti Sardi small noodle “Gnochetti” wit tomato sauce and pieces of
meat

Ravioli alla Ricotta Ravioli filled with a fresh cooked cheese

Porcetto suckling pig (about 6kg)

Capretto small goat

Agnello Lamb

Orata, Spigola, Cernia, Dentice, gilthead, sea brass, brass, dentex,
Pagello, Triglie, Ricciola, Sarago red sea bream, red mullet, other local fish

Aragosta Spiny lobster

Arselle Venus clams (white)

Vongole small Venus clams

Cozze black mussels

Bottarga Dried fish eggs which are served with spaghetti or with
celery as starter.

Pinzimonio Raw vegetables consisting in tomatoes, celery, radishes,
carrots served with a dip from olive oil, lemon juice and salt.

Seadas Sweet dessert: “pastry bag” foiled with fresh Pecorino
cheese, fried and served with a spoon of honey or sugar on
top.


LOCAL DRINKS

Dry white wines Torbato, Cala Viola, Terre Bianche, Funtanaliras, Vermentino,
Seleme, Giogantinu, Ladas und Balari lightly sparkling

Dry red wines Thaora, Rosé di Alghero, Filieri rosato

Red wines Cannonau, Monica, Tanca Farra, Filieri, Terre Brune, Santa
Cristana Abbaia, Nepente

As an aperitif you may have “spumante“ or “frizzante“ which is a dry sparkling white wine.
Vernaccia is a kind of dry Port wine as aperitif or the sweet “moscato” and among the dessert
wines there is “Malvasia di Bosa” or “Malvasia di Alghero” which is a kind of “Vin Santo” sweet
white wine for after meals, ideal digestive.

The most produced liqueur of the island is the “Mirto”, red (berries) or white (leaves) made from
the myrtle bush.

The famous “Filu e Ferru“ is another “effective” digestive. It’s the Sardinian grappa which is very
strong. “Fil de Ferru” means a peace of wire.

„Mallureddus“ and „Culurgiones“ typical Sardinian pasta „Dolci Sardi“ Sardinian sweets

Variety of Sardinian cheese, dry sausage, typical bread and wine

grilled suckling pig – the traditional main course


Looking forward and interested coming to Sardinia, spend some beautiful and unforgettable
holidays on this wonderful island?

Book here and now with www.charmingsardinia.com , your online specialist for luxury holidays in
Sardinia.

We are pleased to give you more information or further particulars, kindly contact us on
booking@charmingsardinia.com.

The general office opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OFFICE
Royal Travel Jet Sardegna S.r.l.
Via S. Tommaso D’Aquino 18
09134 Cagliari – Italy
tel.: +39 070 513 489
fax: +39 070 554 964


Rough gude to Sardinia: Cagliari - Pula - Chia [Travel Guide]

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