Sardinia is, by
extension, the third region of Italy and the
second island of the Mediterranean. As a result
of the variety of its ecosystem, it is considered
by many to be a micro-continent made up of
an alternation between mountainous landscapes
and forests, of areas which are entirely uninhabited,
of lagoons, of tumultuous waterfalls, unending
coastlines and of cliffs that jut out onto
the sea.
Groups of calcareous rocks, with juniper trees
bent by the wind, you can admire from Supramonte
and Monte Albo. The jagged rocks, the dolinas,
the precipices, the picturesque arches and
the spires make these places the Sardinian
Dolomites. Land of a thousand colours where
the crystal clear sea of unending white beaches
finds itself in harmony with the warm colours
which are the essence of the Mediterranean
and its hinterland, the heart of Sardinia.
In the numerous, uncontaminated natural parks,
it is still possible to admire the Sardinian
deer, the royal eagle, the wild boar and the
pink flamingo. The island is a depository for
thousand upon thousands of examples of natural
heritage, with singular ethnic and linguistic
peculiarities, and in the historical and cultural
context of Italy it is genuinely considered
to be an area unto itself. The accentuated
insularity has been a predominant factor that
has contributed to distinguish it from the
other regions of Italy, even if, since Antiquity,
commercial relations existed with the peninsula,
especially Lazio and Tuscany.
In the modern era, many travelers and writers
have praised the incomparable beauty of the island
in their works, immersed in a largely uncontaminated
environment, that plays host to a natural landscape
with unique species of animals and in which you
can find the traces of the Nuraghi period, of
the Phoenician and Punic period, and the Roman
era. The English writer, D.H. Lawrence, in his
pilgrimage to the interior of the Barbagie,
wrote with amazement in his travel journal:
“This land does not resemble any other. Sardinia is another thing entirely:
charming open spaces, nothing is finite, nothing is definitive. It is like
liberty itself.”
The name of Sardinia derives from
its ancient inhabitants: the Sardi.
Well known in Antiquity both by the Phoenicians
and the Greeks, they were called Hyknusa or Icnusa (Ιχνουσσα) by
the Greeks, whereas the Romans called them Sandalion.
The official flag of Sardinia is the flag of
four moors, which has been the case from the
time of Peter I of Aragon until now.
Strategically positioned at the centre of
the western part of the Mediterranean, since
the dawn of time Sardinia has been of interest
to all who have navigated the mare nostrum in
search of new primary materials and new opportunities
for commerce.
Its land, rich with forests, water and important
minerals, was the place of important settlements,
and the natural approaches along the coast
were essential for ships which transited from
one port to another. In this way, throughout
its history it has known how to take advantage
of its isolation, which has allowed it to develop
its native tradition from a strategic position
whilst escaping the conquest of other armies.
The result is that throughout history, clear
signs of indigenous culture have been passed
down virtually unchanged with the passing of
time, such as is the case with the ancient major
colonial powers. These traces are strong and
rich throughout the entire island. |
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