Voices from the past

A city of ancient origin (in the 7th century the dwellers of the Asinara Gulf took shelter there from Saracen raids) Sassari was the first free municipality of Sardinia (129). The history of the region then influenced it taking the town through the dominations of Pisa and Genoa, the long Aragonese dominion, and Sardinia under the Savoy house (1720).
The historical centre was limited by a majestic circle of walls, its four gates (Sant'Antonio, Utzeri, Castello and Rosello), corresponded to as many districts. It is important not to underestimate the importance of walls in the town layout history of Sassari, as it kept its typical medieval walled town appearance until the mid 19th century, when the walls were sacrificed to the process of urban expansion. Today, despite a certain medieval atmosphere still permeating its roads, Sassari is a modern and luminous city, open on a provincial area of incredible beauty: a wild countryside, its hills pinpointed with green cork tree cultivations, with the cattle farming that has become one of the better known country ../../img of Sardinia; a ragged coast, a crystalline sea that has made it famous even abroad, especially along the area known as the Costa Smeralda.

Don't miss...

A visit to Sassari needs to include a deviation onto an itinerary which, through the wonderful interior sceneries, arrives at the sea. Facing the eastern side, the Costa Smeralda certainly needs no introductions; it is Sardinia's most favoured spot for VIP holiday makers all over the world who gather in places such as Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. The Costa Smeralda, however, is not just jet set, magnificent villas and luxury hotels on the seaside: it is also the Maddalena island, with its magnificent sea bottom, and Tavolata, a splendid rock a little distance from the coast, where you could disembark one day for a fish menu in the island's only restaurant.

Events

By far the most impressive event in Sassari is the Faradda, or the Chandeliers' festival, held every year during the summer. The festival finds its roots in the Tuscan tradition and was born to offer the Madonna and the Saints the "candeli" for the churches. The Pisans imported this tradition into Sardinia, where it is still kept almost complete today, whereas in Pisa they have lost the memory of it. Nine large wooden candles, each corresponding to a Gremio (district brotherhood) and with its weight measurable in tons, parade dancing and whirling between two wings of crowd, held by eight bearers cheered on by the urgent rhythm of drums and pipes, in growing enthusiasm and participation.