Northwestern Sardinia

<< Sardinia

Northwestern Sardinia is a mostly hilly territory that surrounds the cities of Sassari and Alghero. This area houses several towns with historic sites, as well as numerous natural attractions. Various seaside resorts are located along the coast, while the island of Asinara is just off the northwestern corner of Sardinia.

Porto Torres

Porto Torres is a port city located on the coast northwest of Sassari. Founded by the Romans, during the Middle Ages it was the capital of the Judicate of Torres, but over time it was overshadowed by Sassari. The town developed more recently as an industrial center, but it also features some historic attractions.

✪ Asinara

Asinara is an island located just off the northwestern corner of Sardinia. The island has been inhabited since ancient times and features some ancient ruins, but in 1885 the residents were evicted and Asinara was turned into a penal colony. The island hosted prisoners of war and some of the most infamous mafia bosses, but the prison was closed in 1997. Now opened to tourists, Asinara is a national park, known for its beautiful enviroment and its rich fauna, especially the Asinara donkey. The island also features various beaches. Between Asinara and Sardinia is another rugged an uninhabited island, Isola Piana.

Archaeological Park of Turris Libisonis

The Archaeological Park of Turris Libisonis (Parco Archeologico di Turris Libisonis) is an archaeological area housing the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Porto Torres, then known as Turris Libisonis. The area features the ruins of various structures, and the park also includes an archaeological museum known as Antiquarium Turritano.

Museum of the Port of Porto Torres

The Museum of the Port of Porto Torres (Museo del Porto di Porto Torres) is a museum located near the port of Porto Torres. The museum is dedicated to the maritime history of the city, and houses exhibitions on historic boats.

Basilica of San Gavino

The Basilica of San Gavino is a historic church in Porto Torres, and one of the most notable examples of Romanesque architecture in Sardinia. The church was built in the 11th century, and has mostly preserved its original structure. The church has an austere interior, and houses some ancient Roman sarcophagi.

Necropolis of Su Crucifissu Mannu

The Necropolis of Su Crucifissu Mannu is an ancient necropolis located southeast of Porto Torres. The necropolis dates from the pre-Nuragic era, and was used from the Neolithic until the Bronze Age. The complex includes several tombs, some of which house a few decorations.

Stintino

Stintino is a small town located on a long peninsula at the northwestern corner of Sardinia. This area has been inhabited since ancient times, but the town was only founded in 1885 after the Italian government took the island of Asinara and evicted its residents. Now Stintino is best known for its beaches.

Spiaggia della Pelosa

The Spiaggia della Pelosa is a beautiful beach located along the coast north of Stintino, just across the sea from the islands of Isola Piana and Asinara. The beach is known for its clear waters and fine sand, and it is a popular tourist attraction.

Castelsardo

Castelsardo is a town located on a rocky hill along the coast of Northwestern Sardinia. Founded in ancient times, the modern town developed around a castle in the Late Middle Ages. Castelsardo is now a tourist destination, regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy.

Castelsardo Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Sant’Antonio Abate (Cattedrale di Sant’Antonio Abate)

The Castelsardo Cathedral is the main church of Castelsardo, located on a cliff overlooking the sea. The church was built during the Late Middle Ages in Catalan Gothic style, and was later reworked with Renaissance additions. Inside, it houses a few artworks, while a great view on the sea can be enjoyed from outside the church.

Castelsardo Castle

The Castelsardo Castle is a medieval castle located on top of a hill in Castelsardo. Built during the Late Middle Ages, it was an important fortification for centuries, and it is still well preserved to this day. The castle now houses a museum of local history and art, with various artworks and exhibitions on ancient weapons.

Elephant’s Rock

The Elephant’s Rock (Roccia dell’Elefante) is a peculiar rock formation located in the countryside south of Castelsardo. The rock is a tourist attraction because of its unique appearance, as it has the shape of an elephant. The rock is also an archaeological site, with two prehistoric tombs carved inside of it.

Tergu

Tergu is a tiny village located south of Castelsardo, best known for hosting a historic church in its territory.

Church of Nostra Signora

The Church of Nostra Signora is an ancient church located near Tergu. Built during the 11th or 12th century, the church has a Romanesque structure and a decorated facade, and was erected with red trachyte.

Sedini

Sedini is a small town located in the countryside southeast of Castelsardo. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and houses some ancient ruins.

Domus de Janas of Sedini

The Domus de Janas of Sedini is an ancient necropolis carved in the rock in the middle of the town of Sedini. The site dates back to the Neolithic, and now it has been turned into a museum of local history and traditions.

Codrongianos

Codrongianos is a small town located among the hills southeast of Sassari. The town is best known for hosting in its territory one of the most famous Romanesque churches of Sardinia.

✪ Basilica of Saccargia

The Basilica of Saccargia is a medieval church located near Codrongianos. The church was built in the 12th century in Pisan Romanesque style, and it is regarded as one of the best examples of this architectural style in Sardinia. The church is entirely built with stripes of black basalt and white limestone, which give the structure a unique appearance. Inside the church are various decorations, and a large cycle of frescoes dating from the 12th century.

Nuraghe Nieddu

Nuraghe Nieddu is an ancient nuraghe dating from the 2nd millennium BCE and located in the countryside north of Codrongianos. This nuraghe features a typical tholos structure, and it is one of the best preserved of its kind.

Ardara

Ardara is a village located among the hills of Northwestern Sardinia, best known for housing a historic church.

Church of Santa Maria del Regno

The Church of Santa Maria del Regno is a church built between the 11th and 12th century in Ardara. The building features a simple Romanesque structrure, while the interior is richly decorated, and houses a large and elaborate 16th-century polyptych.

Ozieri

Ozieri is a town located among the hills of the historic region of Logudoro. This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and various ancient ruins and objects have been found here, so much so that the complex Neolithic culture that flourished in Sardinia around 3000 BCE has been named Ozieri culture. Ozieri is now an argicultural center.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Ozieri

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Ozieri (Museo Civico Archeologico di Ozieri) is an archaeological museum in Ozieri, dedicated to the long history of the territory around the town. The museum houses a large collection of archaeological findings dating from prehistory to the Middle Ages, but also ancient coins and exhibitions on local culture.

San Michele Cave

The San Michele Cave (Grotta di San Michele) is a cave system in Ozieri and an archaeological site. The cave was inhabited in prehistoric times, and numerous archaeological findings dating from the Neolithic have been found here.

Basilica of Sant’Antioco di Bisarcio

The Basilica of Sant’Antioco di Bisarcio is an ancient church located in the countryside northwest of Ozieri. The church was built in the 12th century, and features a decorated facade and a Romanesque structure. The adjacent bell tower is missing its top half, which has crumbled, while near the church are various ancient ruins.

Mores

Mores is a small town in Northwestern Sardinia. The town has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and houses a few ancient ruins.

Dolmen of Sa Coveccada

The Dolmen of Sa Coveccada is a megalithic structure located in the countryside south of Mores. Regarded as one of the most notable dolmens still in existence, the structure dates from the Neolithic and once served as a tomb.

Siligo

Siligo is a small town located southeast of Sassari. The village has been inhabited since ancient times, and it is known for its archaeological ruins.

Archaeological Park of Mesumundu

The Archaeological Park of Mesumundu (Parco Archeologico di Mesumundu) is an archaeological site located near Siligo. The park houses the ruins of several ancient structures that span a period between the pre-Nuragic period to the Middle Ages, including a Roman thermal complex and a medieval necropolis. The site also includes the Church of Nostra Signora di Mesumundu, a Byzantine church built in the Early Middle Ages.

Borutta

Borutta is a tiny village located among the hills of Logudoro, best known for hosting a historic church.

Church of San Pietro di Sorres

The Church of San Pietro di Sorres is a medieval church and a religious complex located near Borutta. The church was built in Romanesque style between the 12th and 13th century, and was later abandoned, but it was restored in the 20th century. The church features an elaborate facade and a decorated interior, while adjacent to the main building is a monastery.

Torralba

Torralba is a small town located among the hills south of Sassari. The town emerged in the Late Middle Ages, but this territory has been inhabited since ancient times, and houses various nuraghes and prehistoric tombs.

Nuraghe Santu Antine

The Nuraghe Santu Antine is a nuragic complex located south of Torralba. One of the largest, most notable, and best preserved structures of its kind, this nuraghe was built during the Bronze Age, and features an imposing central tower surrounded by the ruins of other buildings.

Bonorva

Bonorva is a town located among the hills of Logudoro. The area around the town has been inhabited since ancient times, and houses some ancient ruins.

Necropolis of Sant’Andrea Priu

The Necropolis of Sant’Andrea Priu is a prehistoric necropolis located near Bonorva. The site dates back to the Neolithic, and it is one of the largest necropolises in Sardinia. The necropolis houses several tombs, including one of the largest hypogean tombs of the Mediterranean basin.