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Attractions
Nuraghe: The mysterious Nuragic people who arrived in Sardinia around 1500 BC festooned the island with about 30,000 circular fortified structures. Today about 7,000 of these remain standing to be marvelled at by tourists. The complex of Nuraghe in Barumini has been added to UNESCO''s World Heritage List and is the finest and most complete example of this prehistoric architecture. The Barumini site can be reached from Oristano or Cagliari on route 131 and turning off onto route 197. Other well-preserved nuraghe can be seen at Sant Antine. At Nora on the very southern tip of the island are the remains of an extensive Nuragic village including an amphitheatre, forum, baths, temple and Kasbah. Other good Nuragic sites are near Villanovaforru, Alghero, and Abbasanta. Opening time: Most Nuraghe are closed afternoons and Sundays; Admission: Most Nuraghe are free
The Citadel of Museums : Sardinia''s history and culture is conveniently packaged in the Citadel of Museums complex in the centre of the capital, Cagliari. Here is sited the National Archaeological Museum, the National Picture Gallery, the Cardu Siamese Museum and a collection of anatomical waxes by Florentine sculptor, Clemente Susini, all administered by the University. The Archaeological Museum houses artefacts from all the ancient cultures of the island, including ceramics from Phoenician tombs, Punic jewellery and Nuragic bronzes. The Picture Gallery contains a collection of contemporary art and sculpture, while the Siamese museum exhibits fascinating items from the east. The unique Collection of Waxes consists of 23 models of parts of the human body created by Clemente Susini, from waxes, resin, tallow, pitch and balsam. Address: Piazza Arsenale; Telephone: (070) 662 837. Archaeological Museum: (070) 655 911; Picture Gallery: (070) 674 054; Collection of Waxes: (070) 664 783; Opening time: Archaeological Museum: 9am to 7.30pm (closed Mondays); Picture Gallery: 8.30am to 7.30pm (11.30pm in summer); Collection of Waxes: Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
Trenino Verde : Sardinia has an unforgettable coastline, but the interior of the island is equally beautiful. A fun way to explore it is aboard the Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), a vintage steam locomotive that puffs its way through forests, over bridges and through tunnels into some of the island''s most scenic mountain areas. The narrow gauge train tracks were laid in 1888 to serve the more isolated areas of Sardinia, and the picturesque restored train and locomotive is just as old. The train runs on scheduled routes, connecting Nuoro and Bosa, Sassari and Alghero, Sassari and Palau, and Cagliari and Arbatax. Most popular is the Cagliari to Arbatax route, which departs each morning at 6.45am. Telephone: (079) 245 740 (schedules and routes); Opening time: Daily between 30 June and 1 September |
