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In 1500 the Spanish crown, in an attempt to protect the island from constant pirate raids, decided to build a unique defence system, consisting of a series of coastal towers with sighting and defence functions, each equipped with a garrison and military equipment. Arranged along the entire coast of the island, the towers are no longer in operation today but are still considered symbols of Sardinia’s communities and maritime identity.

The coastal towers defended Sardinia from piracy and Saracen raids. Built from the 13th century onwards and maintained up until the first half of the 19th century, the entire defensive system was set up by the Spanish crown and was even kept going in the Savoy era until 1842 when the towers were decommissioned. Usually located in strategic sites to defend the territory, each tower was positioned within sight of the preceding and subsequent tower to allow for rapid communication along the entire coast with special visual and auditory signals in case any enemy raids were spotted. Today just a few of them have been restored and can be visited, thanks to the work of the Conservatoria delle Coste (Coastal Conservancy). Many others are in ruins and dot the island's coastal landscape. The Way of the 100 Towers, a path linking together the remaining92 towers of the 103 that originally made up the island's defence system, is currently being developed and marketed. The proposed itinerary includes 14 coastal towers, which have been maintained and restored by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and are currently considered tourist attractions by the Regional Department of Tourism, Trade and Crafts. The itinerary starts from the Torre del Prezzemolo on the promontory of Capo S.Elia in Cagliari, and continues towards the Torre di Coltellazzo, near the archaeological site of Nora. It then heads south towards the Torre di Chia and then towards the west, to the Torre di Calasetta. From there it moves on to the west coast, and in particular to Sinis, with the Torre di San Giovanni and the Torre Vecchia, which are both on the Capo San Marco promontory. The route continues northwards, to the town of Bosa with the splendid Torre Argentina. From here it is on to the northern tip of the island, to Santa Teresa Gallura with the Torre di Longosardo, which overlooks the majestic Bocche di Bonifacio, the stretch of sea that separates Sardinia from Corsica. Continuing down the east coast we find the Torre di Barì in Barisardo, on the enchanting Ogliastra beach of the same name. Further down the east coast we arrive in the municipality of Muravera, where two vital coastal towers defended the territory, the Torre dei 10 Cavalli and the Torre Salinas. The itinerary ends in the south of the island, in one of the most popular seaside resorts for foreign visitors: Villasimius, where the Fortezza Vecchia stands to protect the modern marina. Day 1: Visit the Torre del Prezzemolo; transfer to Pula, and visit the Torre di Coltellazzo near the archaeological site of Nora; transfer to Chia and visit the Torre di Chia; continue on to the island of Sant'Antioco and arrive in Calasetta, visit the Torre di Calasetta and stay overnight; Day 2: Transfer to Cabras, and visit the Torre di San Giovanni and Torre Vecchia on the Capo San Marco promontory; visit the Sinis region and stay overnight; Day 3: Transfer to Bosa, visit the Torre Argentina and the town; stay overnight Day 4: Transfer to Santa Teresa Gallura, visit the Torre di Longosardo and the town; stay overnight Day 5: Transfer to Barisardo to visit the Torre di Barì; stay overnight Day 6: Transfer to Muravera to visit the Torri dei 10 Cavalli and Torre Torre Salinas; transfer to Villasimius to visit the Fortezza Vecchia. End of the itinerary.

Sardegna

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Torre del Prezzemolo - Cagliari > Torre del Prezzemolo - Cagliari

Type Itinéraire : loop

Thème : History