Porto Torres Olbia ( Sassari Alghero ( Laconi, Museo dei menhir Nuoro

Monte Arci Oristano Arbatax (

Barumini Giara di

( Tempio di Antas nature and culture Su Nuraxi Cagliari - N.S. di Bonaria, bastione Remy and Poetto Beach in

Servizi culturali e informativi via Roma, 8 - 09021 Barumini (Ca) Sardegna - mobile 3405654506 fax 0709361030 www.condaghe.it [email protected] Please Yourself discovering this treasure, the natural beauties and traditions of Sardinia. - Mild climate, lagoons and the charm of wild areas characterize our sea-coast. where is Atlantis? You must see clear water blending into the white sandy dunes, the rocky promontories and the Mediterranean Let us start a trip around Sardinia, to find traces bushes, in a fantastic combination of colours. Atlantis was never found because we have all been Around the 12th century BC the ancient Mediterranean of a mysterious past! - You will learn about our culture, history, folklore, arts & looking in the wrong places. The following theory is civilizations were upset by natural perturbations Cagliari is the ideal starting point for a series crafts. revolutionizing the studies in the field of archaeology. (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis) that of excursions, either to discover the beautiful Religious festivals and traditional celebrations are still Do you want to give rise to Atlantis from the waves? destroyed important cultures (the Mycenaean and the coast or in search of the past. preserved and they remind the mysterious fertility rites of Let us discover the Atlantis treasure together! Hitite empire). These events were preceded and It sums up the whole history of Sardinia and it a remote past. Timaeus and Critias, two of Plato's dialogues, are the followed by invasions of the eastern Mediterranean is bustling with life and cultural activities. only existing written records which specifically refer area by bellicose “Sea Peoples”. Thanks to an Egyptian The roots of Sardinian handicraft are planted in a millenary to Atlantis. The story is about the conflict between stele we know the most valiant, the Shardana (most Let us assist You in finding sites of great tradition, which is re-proposed in the same shapes, motifs, the ancient Athenians and the Atlantians 9000 moon- archaeologists think they were the ancient and brave historical and cultural interest! colours and characteristics. months before Plato's time. It provides a detailed inhabitants of Sardinia). But that stele portrays the Throughout the last thirty centuries Sardinia description of the lost island and its people as well last stage of the invasions like a dramatic exodus has been an easy landing for conquerors, Run through Sardinia with us! as information about the ancient Athenians. (the invader were annihilated)! These important events merchants and missionaries. We offer You an helpful support, while You are organizing Knowledge of the distant past - apparently forgotten came with the end of the Bronze Age, more flourishing But the territory is extremely rich in Your holiday. to the Athenians of Plato's day - the story of Atlantis than the following Iron Age; in fact many prosperous archaeological monuments of an older glorious We are sure our information will contribute to make your was conveyed to Solon by Egyptian priests. civilizations disappeared and that facilitated the past, that were built all over the island and now trip easier and more pleasant. We’ll give You local maps and Phoenician power development. they are part of the landscape. telephone assistance, as well. “There existed an island nation located in the middle The Atlanteans dominated as far as the Tyrrhenian What are You waiting of the Atlantic Ocean populated by a noble and Sea and the Egypt. for! Choose the best powerful race. The people of this land possessed great To the Tyrrhenian sea??? We know they dominated options for You, about wealth, thanks to the natural resources found lands unknown to the Athenians of Plato’s day!!! excursions, throughout their island. The island was a center for We must know that at the Plato’s time the accommodation, trade and commerce. The rulers of this land held Carthaginians (and previously, the Phoenicians) had restaurant, events, etc. control over the people and land of their own island been colonizing the whole western Mediterranean Let us help You booking (the city of Atlantis was the most powerful land in Sea, so that area must have been off limits for the your car, the island and its king ruled over the other lands) and Greeks for long time. accommodation, table into Europe and , as well. For generations the Then, I have got an important query: where did the at restaurant and any Atlanteans lived simple, virtuous lives. But slowly they Atlantic Ocean start for the ancient Greeks? We know other useful service. began to change. Greed and power began to corrupt it: beyond the Pillars of Hercules. But where were them. When Zeus saw the immorality of the Atlanteans, they? We know it: At the end of the known world. he gathered the other gods to determine a suitable But beyond the straits of Gibraltar or beyond the punishment. Soon, in one violent surge it was gone. straits placed between Sicily and Tunisy? The island of Atlantis, its people, and its memory were The island of Atlantis was just in front of the Pillars swallowed by the sea.” of Hercules and crossing it was really dangerous because of mud (the depth was very low), reefs and slack winds (dead calm). Therefore putting the Atlantic Ocean beyond the straits of Gibraltar was probably knowing the original mistake. knowingSardinia Sun, nature, landscapes, traditions, life seaside, culture,Sardinia history, now for You Discover the mysteries of Sardinia! Nuragic history in brief

A Sardinia less well known preserves -within its heart- Sardinia still keeps itself unaltered and nowadays its Sardinians had a strong relationship with the sea, the ancient civilizations; the strongest civilization in the inhabitants help us to make out the features and the votive small bronze ships (bronze statuettes) are the prehistoric Western Mediterranean Sea. temper of the people living in this land during the most important archaeological evidences. The Sardinian Sardinia’s prehistoric inhabitants arrived from the past Ages. Therefore before starting our trip around ships show stylised emblems such as deers, moufflons, sea and settled along coastal areas; the ruins of many Sardinia we must recall the past time that reminds oxen and rams, all symbols of a land of shepherds, (Sardinian megalithic towers) bear witness our civilization’s roots. who easily transformed themselves on sailors. to this. The first groups which settled in Sardinia found In Sardinia there was an advanced technological an ideal habitat: the fertility of its soil and the richness During the pre-Nuragic period (from the 4000 b.C.) context thanks to expert craftsmen. In fact the oldest of its metal, a mild climate, plenty of animals, an numerous villages and tombs were built all over the processed iron ever found - in the western immense fishing patrimony, a great variety of fruits Island. The culture from Bonnannaro (dated 1800 b.C. Mediterranean area - comes from the Antigori and vegetables and the obsidian, from which they - 1500 b.C.) is quite rough, essential but it produced in Sarroch (Cagliari). could forge arms and tools. a first form of collective organization. It has elements But from the XII century b.C. the Western Mediterranea The first Sardinians were navigators, familiar with the Sardinia’s coast (with their extraordinarily variegated of contiguity with the coeval Spanish and Italian Sea suffered a deep crisis until the arrival of the sea: thanks to their seafaring skills obsidian (the and breathtaking seaside of ravines, sandy beaches, cultures. Phoenicians that occupied the power vacuum; this precious vitreous stone found at Monte Arci) was gulfs and promontories) strongly characterize the population traded peacefully with the Sardinian from exported throughout the Mediterranean Sea. This island’s landscape. The following culture was the Nuragic one (1600 b.C. the IX century until the VII b.C., when they started obsidian trade made Sardinia known in the That’s true, but what does it mean? Just lying on the – 238 b.C.). Populations coming from the eastern colonizing the Sardinian coastal area. Mediterranean area and attracted more and more new beach and swimming in crystal clear water? Mediterranean area mixed to populations from the The sea was a vehicle and the Sardinian population settlers. So it was from the merging of the new groups What about discovering our history, enviroment, Balearic islands and from Corsica. In spite of a cultural was very confident with it; but Sardinia suffered a that the original Sardinians originated. Traces of this culture, traditions, gastronomy, folklore, arts & crafts, omogeneity there was a political division, with deep change after the Carthaginian conquest at the prehistoric civilization (in Sardinia there was no writing) religious festivals and traditional celebrations, just communities often fighting each other. A strong end of VI century b.C.. Until the VII century b.C. the testify the importance of this island in the Bronze Age. a few km (60 km to the southern coast, 50 km to individualist philosophy of the Nuraghic families and island was still a power in the Tyrrhenian Sea; when Then why that civility was no longer remembered? the Western coast by asphalt roads) from the seaside? clans results in a sort of “building insularity”. In a such the Carthaginians arrived - with their military regime Why there is no trace of this civility in any writings, With our services we want to give You the most cultural context the most common buildings are the - for the Sardinian population the sea became a border, in any oral tradition? useful information and advice that can help you to following: Nuraghes, Giants’ tombs, temples with well. closing it in a silent loneliness full of grievance, rebellion Why did the Sardinians retreat into the interior, in the get closer to the Sardinian citizens (through the most Nuraghes: buildings characterised by a cut off cone and expectation. hills and mountains? Why did they fell in isolation and natural and human manifestations of the everyday shape and made of heavy stones (sometimes more backwardness? What transformed them into shepherd life) and to discover new things about that ancient than seven tons) settled without any lime. and peasant dominated by fear and mistrust of the Sardinia, which steadily survives. Giants’ tombs: megalithic and collective tombs, a sort waves which continued to break against their coasts? In many places in Sardinia - during the local festivities of huge tombs with enough space for hundred of Why there are still more than eight thousand Nuraghes - you can attend religious and civil ceremonies, folklore bodies, where the divinized heroes and the greatest in the whole territory but in the only Sardinian big displays, songs, music, cavalcades, equestrian displays, ancestors “sleep”. Also you can find little funerary cells plain (tabula rasa in the Campidano plain for tens of processions in costume, popular festivals. (pre-existing the Nuragic culture) called “Domus de km)? Why did they find some Nuraghes under hills of Janas”, the witches’ houses. mud? What brought so much mud? Come and you will meet local people willing to share Temples characterised by wells: where people used to the natural and cultural heritage of this island with venerate the celestial water and the Great Mother. the visitors. Come and you will discover where Also you can find Dolmens and Menhirs (megalithic traditionally the oldest people in the world are from. stones, pre-existing the Nuragic culture) witnesses of Moreover you can take part in our treasure hunt: the cosmic and regenerating religious cults. disclosing the secrets, hidden behind a millenary mystery. You will never regret it! Tuerredda Marmilla Directions

Firstly, we briefly want to introduce you Sardinia: Mount Arci is a natural reserve, but it is interesting Sardinia has got a wonderful seaside wherever you Cala Regina - it is the second biggest Mediterranean island (24,000 from both archaeological (Menhirs, pre-nuragic and go. If You like the idea of combining our offer with sq. Km); nuragic constructions, traces of Carthaginian and a stay in a typical coastal place, we can advice you - its coastal perimeter is about 1,850 Km of beautiful Roman rural settlements) and naturalistic points of and put you in touch with our partner organizations. beaches and it has a population of about 1,500,000; view; visitors will really enjoy the fascinating landscape We have chosen one area for You, since it is located - the climate is typically Mediterranean, it lies within with numerous water spring, a nature uncontaminated in a strategic point, as its services are adequate and parallel 39° and parallel 41°. and testimonies of millennia of history. because of its charm. - there are many species of plants and fauna (some Nowadays, Mount Arci is “Area 1” of the Geo-mineral, Start your trip from Cagliari! of them are typical) in a great variety of natural Historical and Natural Park in Sardinia (listed as It is a very nice town (the biggest one in Sardinia) environments. There are unique animals like the part of the World Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO), due with a Medieval centre and plenty of attractions: Sardinian donkeys and the little horses of Giara, 120 to the existence of the richest and most extensive · wide ponds (Santa Gilla, Molentargius) with a very centimetres tall, living in big droves. seams of obsidian (a natural volcanic glass) in all the important natural heritage; Mediterranean Sea. It was the mythical “black gold” · gardens (Monte Urpinu, Colle S. Michele, Public Marmilla is a small district in the south center Sardinia, from prehistory and the first material used by the Garden, Monte Claro and the Botanic Garden) Outside Cagliari - going eastwards - You can find limited by plateaus and hills. From the morphological prehistoric people to make cutting instruments. Mount frequented by the inhabitants; really nice beaches: Cala Regina, Torre delle Stelle, point of view, Marmilla’s landscape is characterized Arci was the only area (with Lipari and Pantelleria) of · nice beaches (a tiny inlet - Calamosca - and a Geremeas, Solanas, Porto Sa Ruxi, Campus, Capo by smooth hills intersected by highlands with sinuous gold extraction in the Mediterranean; obsidian mining huge sandy beach called Poetto); Boi, , Cala Pira, Porto Giunco, Cala Sinzias. edges. gave birth to Sardinia’s mining history (it has been · art (the Municipal Gallery, a National Art-Gallery, Westwards,You can find Punic traces (Nora and The territory of Marmilla (as open-air museum) is part extracted for over 4,000 years and exported to numerous the Sardinian Museum of anthropology and Bithia) and the beaches of Chia and Teulada. of an important cultural tourism development program, places) and now that continues with the extraction of ethnography, the Cittadella dei ); whose scope is to take the area more and more other minerals. · Roman vestige (Grotta della Vipera; Amphitheatre Three Sardinian airports (Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari) accessible and enjoyable to the public and to preserve and Villa Tigellio); are connected to the principal London airports the natural and historical resources in their original Giara territory is a real flora paradise; itineraries are · Punic vestige (necropolis; crypt in the church of throughout the year. place. practicable in every season even though it is more St. Restituta). Also, flights from Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Paris, Marmilla preserves an untouched historical and suitable in spring, when Giara flowers in a galaxy of Prague and Ljubljana. traditional heritage. colours. A nine Km-botanic route allows people to There is a good road system that easily join our The archaeological monuments – strewn across the recognize all the Giara vegetable species: meadows, holiday destination to the airports. It makes no territory - are part of the agricultural landscape. There Mediterranean bush and woods, arboreal pastures, difference whether you arrive at Alghero-Fertilia are numerous architectonic evidences from the ancient aquatic vegetation. airport, at Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport or at Cagliari- churches in the territory of Marmilla countryside; they On the plateau you can find a botanic garden and the Elmas airport; in any case You must drive towards belong to various periods: Romanic, Pisan, Gothic- Didactic Center (a multifunctional structure), which can the main road (s.s. 131 – Carlo Felice). Catalan/Aragonese, Baroque. Generally, local be compared to a real multimedia naturalistic museum. architecture does not show a sudden changes, but old The informative offer is integrated with an itinerary Contact us, so that You can easily get to the and new styles blend with each other. system, which can satisfy any needs of the visitors. destination point. Flights to Cagliari (Elmas airport) : from London Luton by Easyjet from Barcelona by Iberia from Madrid by Iberia Check on the web for more airlines: To Cagliari http://www.sogaer.it/infovoli/voli_t_reale.php To Olbia http://www.geasar.it/home.asp?section=AEROPORTO&lang=1&hid_idgruppopalchettoHome=2 To Alghero http://www.aeroportodialghero.it/IT/voli/default.php