Sardinia / Sardegna

The little hill, on which the Basilica di San Simplicio was erected outside the medieval city walls, has a long history. It is proven that here once was Carthaginian cemetery. When the Romans moved in after the Punic Wars, they had a temple right here, followed by an early "Byzantine" church (~ 600). The Basilica di San Simplicio was erected late 11th/early 12th century. This was a cathedral upto 1511. San Simplicio a martyr, whose relics are kept under the main altar, was probably the first bishop here within the early 4th century. Granite columns and piers flank the nave. Seen here is a granite capital.

The little hill, on which the Basilica di San Simplicio was erected outside the medieval city walls, has a long history. It is proven that here once was Carthaginian cemetery. When the Romans moved in after the Punic Wars, they had a temple right here, followed by an early "Byzantine" church (~ 600). The Basilica di San Simplicio was erected late 11th/early 12th century. This was a cathedral upto 1511. San Simplicio a martyr, whose relics are kept under the main altar, was probably the first bishop here within the early 4th century. Here is the nave and two aisles divided by granite columns and piers. On the left is a granite capitals with the heads of rams.

Had a snack in this little food stall, neighbouring the Basilica di San Simplicio. Was quite good!

Cork oaks (quercus suber) line the small roads in Northern Sardinia.

Pascaredda is, like Li Lolghi, seen before, a prehistoric gallery grave, erected during the Bronze Age by the Nuragic civilization. These graves are called "Tombe dei giganti" (= "Giants' graves"). Hundreds of them have been found on the island of Sardinia, all dated to 2.200-1.600 BC. Again the central stone has the small semicircular hole at the bottom, typical for this kind of gallery graves.

Pascaredda is, like Li Lolghi, seen before, a prehistoric gallery grave, erected during the Bronze Age by the Nuragic civilization. These graves are called "Tombe dei giganti" (= "Giants' graves"). Hundreds of them have been found on the island of Sardinia, all dated to 2.200-1.600 BC. Seen here is the central stone with the semicircular hole at the bottom, typical for this kind of gallery graves. There are numerous theories about use or meaning of this small, portal-like hole.

Pascaredda is, like Li Lolghi, seen before, a prehistoric gallery grave, erected during the Bronze Age by the Nuragic civilization. These graves are called "Tombe dei giganti" (= "Giants' graves"). Hundreds of them have been found on the island of Sardinia, all dated to 2.200-1.600 BC. Seen here is the central stone with the semicircular hole at the bottom, typical for this kind of gallery graves. There are numerous theories about use or meaning of this small, portal-like hole.

Pascaredda, the prehistoric gallery grave, erected during the Bronze Age by the Nuragic civilization, is well guarded. This wide awake and fast lizard and hundreds of his collegues have an eye on the tourists. Here - and around the nearby "Nuraghe Agnu" and the sacred spring of "Li Paladini". All these sites are well guarded by the lizards since thousands of years.

Sardinia is a very mountainous island. The highest peak is Punta La Marmora (1,834 m) in the centre of the island. The Strada Statale 125 winds over a harsh ridge from Dorgali to Baunei. The area is sparsely populated. Along the road are a couple of given and bricked up buildings. Some of them may have once been used as hotels, gas stations, restaurants, but meanwhile traffic runs too fast... Most of the ruins are covered by graffiti.

Sardinia is a very mountainous island. The highest peak is Punta La Marmora (1,834 m) in the centre of the island. The Strada Statale 125 winds over a harsh ridge from Dorgali to Baunei. The area is sparsely populated. Along the road are a couple of given and bricked up buildings. Some of them may have been hotels like the famous Overlook-Hotel in Colorado, where once Jack Torrance and his family spent some time...

Sardinia is a very mountainous island. The highest peak is Punta La Marmora (1,834 m) in the centre of the island. The Strada Statale 125 winds over a harsh ridge from Dorgali to Baunei. The area is sparsely populated and most of it covered with dense macchia. What looks like a wide dirt road is a dry riverbed, coming out of a deep canyon.

Looking to the mediterranean sea from the small town of Baunei, about 500 m over sea level. Actually Santa Maria Navarrese, a small village just down by the sea, is a part of Baunei.

Santa Maria Navarrese, the church and the village, belong to the the municipality of Baunei, about 9kms east up high in the mountains (see previous upload). Santa Maria Navarrese has grown around this church, that dates back to the 11th century. Following a legend, reported by Francesco Angelo de Vico in 1639, a daughter of the King of Navarre took refuge here in 1065, after the area was freed from "barbarian domination" of the Saracens She then commissioned the building of a church, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. Excavations, undertaken in the early 1960, could prove, that a 12m long church with a small apse existed here indeed in the early times. Even a large Neolithic "cup and ring" stone was found, so that this place has been a cultural spot obviously since thousands of years.

Santa Maria Navarrese, the church and the village, belong to the the municipality of Baunei, about 9kms east up high in the mountains (see previous upload). Santa Maria Navarrese has grown around a church, that dates back to the 11th century. Following a legend, reported by Francesco Angelo de Vico in 1639, a daughter of the King of Navarre took refuge here in 1065, after the area was freed from "barbarian domination" of the Saracens. The princess commissioned the building of a church, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. Excavations, undertaken in the early 1960, proved, that a 12m long church in the early times. Even a large Neolithic "cup and ring" stone was found, so that this place has been a cultural spot obviously since thousands of years. Near the church are some olive trees, that may be as old as the medieval church. A local resident I met claimed, that these olive trees are the oldest on the island of Sardinia. At least!

In 1139 the Bishop of Orotelli, transferred the "ecclesiam Sancti Petri sitam in loco dicitur Ollim" to the monastery of San Salvatore of Camaldoli. At that time here must have existed a settlement of which only this building survived the times. There are so many "lonely churches" on the island - and many are connected to the Camaldolese order. This order was founded by Saint Romuald in the early 11th century. I had come across his name in Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa (Pyrenees) some years ago.

Since the first half of the 12th century the (meanwhile ruined) Castello di Burgos (aka Castello del Goceano) towers about the small town of Burgos.

In the region of the Meilogu exist so many Bronze Age towers that it is called the Valle dei Nuraghi. The most impressive of these about 30 nuraghi is the Nuraghe Santu Antine, locally known as Sa Domu de su Re (= House of the King). The nuraghe has a central tower, that still is about 17 m high. It was probably nearly 24 m high, when the tower was erected around 1800 BC. Three towers positioned around the central one. The entire building a triangular shape with rounded angles. www.nuraghesantuantine.it

In the region of the Meilogu exist so many Bronze Age towers that it is called the Valle dei Nuraghi. The most impressive of these about 30 nuraghi is the Nuraghe Santu Antine, locally known as Sa Domu de su Re (= House of the King). The nuraghe has a central tower, that still is about 17 m high. It was probably nearly 24 m high, when the tower was erected around 1800 BC. Three towers positioned around the central one. The entire building a triangular shape with rounded angles. www.nuraghesantuantine.it/