Sailing to Sardegna

A map of the best ports and anchorages

The island of Sardegna

The earliest inhabitants of Sardegna, the Nuragic people, were a mysterious yet advanced society, leaving behind the iconic stone towers called nuraghi scattered across the island. These towering structures, built with massive stones, served both as fortifications and community centers. The Nuragic civilisation, thriving around 1800 BC, was deeply tied to the sea. Archaeological finds suggest they traded extensively, linking them to the Minoans and Mycenaeans of the Aegean world, and even to the Phoenicians. One of their most intriguing legacies are the bronze statuettes, which depict warriors, animals, and even ships.

The rise of Carthage

By the time the Carthaginians arrived, the island had already become an essential part of the ancient world’s commercial and military strategies. Under Carthaginian rule, which began in the 6th century BC, Sardegna’s coastal cities flourished. Carthage’s naval supremacy made these shores a focal point in their conflict with Rome.

The Roman love for garum

The Garum is a fermented fish sauce considered a delicacy in Roman cuisine. The shores of Sardegna, particularly the area around Tharros, became famous for producing this pungent but prized ingredient.

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