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Within the Gulf of Asinara lies Porto Torres, a port city in the northwest of Sardinia of considerable interest despite the fact that it does not receive, as is the case with other port cities, the proper consideration by tourists who disembark and then, proceed to their destination. Instead, this city holds a rich historical, artistic and cultural heritage of high importance and offers several opportunities, for an unforgettable vacation!
SOME HISTORY
A colony of Roman citizens, its foundation is attributed to Caesar, who lived there in 46 BC. The port and the activities related to it were the center of city life, weakened in the Middle Ages by the incursions of vandals. Between the ninth and tenth centuries, with the rise of the judged, the city became important again, establishing trade relations with the Pisans and Genoese.
Between the year 1030 and 1080, the Basilica of San Gavino was built, the oldest and largest Romanesque church in Sardinia, built on an early Christian cemetery area on the summit of Monte Agellu hill and dedicated to the Turritan martyrs Gavino, Proto and Gianuario, who were beheaded in 303 BC. Their relics are in the 17th-century crypt, built under the nave; part of the pagan and Christian necropolis of Turris Libisonis has been unearthed on the southern side.
In the thirteenth century, Sassari, thanks to an agreement with the Genoese, prohibits the opening of commercial premises and maritime traffic moved to Cagliari and Alghero, Porto Torres loses importance becoming a satellite of the municipality of Sassari, and in the year 1441 also loses the title of bishopric.
THINGS TO SEE
There are archaeological complexes such as the Central Baths, called "Palace of King Barbaro". A name that can be traced back to the governor who sentenced the martyr Gavino to death. Near the archaeological area is the museum "Antiquarium Turritano", in which are exposed the findings that came to light during the excavations. In the area of Turris Libisonis are also present: the Domus of Orpheus, the Maetzke Thermal Baths, the Domus of Mosaics and the Pallottine Peristyle. Numerous nuragic monuments, such as the Nuraghe Margone, the Minciaredda and the Nuraghe Nieddu.
In the port of the city stands the Aragonese Tower, built in the year 1325, 14 meters high and 13 meters wide. It is spread over three floors, octagonal in plan, has performed various functions, from customs, a bulwark against attacks by barbarians until the twentieth century which was used as a lighthouse. From the imperial age, the Roman Bridge, 135 meters long, which rides the river Riu Mannu and connected the city with the mines of Nurra.
In addition to the Basilica of San Gavino, there is the Church of Balai Vicino, also known as San Gavino a Mare, built on a rock overlooking the water and which seems to have been the first burial place of the three martyrs. -he church of Balai Lontano, where, according to tradition, San Gavino lost his life and, two days later, his companions Proto and Gianuario.
Every year in May the martyrs are commemorated with a three-day festival, the most important in the city, the Festha Manna, during which the municipality organizes various musical and cultural events, such as the traditional Fish Festival.
Half of the territory of the municipality of Porto Torres is made up of the island of Asinara, the fifth largest Italian island, with an area of 52 square km. It has become a Parco Nazionale e Area marina protetta, rich in avifauna and ichthyofauna and a place where white donkeys are present in the wild. To the south it is separated by the small Isola Piana and by a narrow navigable channel, the Passaggio dei Fornelli. The last residents left in in the year 1855 to found the town of Stintino. The village of Cala d'Oliva is a significant example of its history; Cala Reale, with the ancient leper hospital that was the occasional residence of the royal family of Savoy and the Fornelli area, with the former maximum security prison. There are hiking trails and excursions by jeep and with the charter you can sail to discover the island in its most hidden aspects.
In the year 2012 was inaugurated in Via Tramontana, an area equipped with games for dogs, the Park Quattrozampe and along the coast runs the cycle path that "joins" the ideally the two churches overlooking the sea of Balai Vicino and Balai Lontano.
The most popular beach is the small Caletta di Balai, while along the sea road there is the beach of Scogliolungo, in the town of Porto Torres, recognizable by the presence of a sculpture depicting a dolphin, placed on a rock in the middle of the sea. A few meters from it The beach of Freshwater, behind the square dedicated to the "Heroes of the Wave" there is the small beach of Renaredda with the shallow bottom and the sandy beach formed by grains.
There are also restaurants (restaurants) where you can enjoy the delicacies of the sea or good pizzas. There are hotels, residences and numerous Bed and Breakfast and Holiday Homes for your stay in the city. In summer there are several opportunities for entertainment in the streets of the center.
At the end of August takes place the event "Sounds & Flavours". which combines the tasting of typical Sardinian products such as excellent wines with concerts by various artists of the island, and from 1974 between July and August, the Summer Carnival, with parade.