Sardinia History And Tourism, Italy – What You Need To Know
Do you want to know about the history and tourism of Sardinia Italy? Then, this article is for you. Sardinia is an autonomous region and one of the largest Islands in the Mediterranean – an Island with a plethora of minerals, fertile land, mountains which led to its recognition as a mini continent.
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Why is Sardinia such a great place to visit?
Sardinia stands out for several reasons that make it truly special. Its captivating azure coastlines draw visitors in, but it’s the island’s rugged and breathtaking landscapes that truly set it apart. Delving deeper, you’ll find ancient archaeological sites that predate even the mighty Roman Empire by millennia, revealing the island’s rich history and heritage.
Preserved historic towns and cities showcase the island’s storied past, while world-class museums offer insights into its diverse culture.
Sardinia’s culinary scene is a delight in itself, offering fresh, flavorful dishes and renowned wines to tantalize the taste buds. Combined, these elements create a unique and unforgettable experience for anyone fortunate enough to visit this remarkable island.
Included In This Series About Sardinia, Italy
- Best Restaurants To Eat In Sardinia, Italy
- 7 Top Places To Visit In Sardinia, Italy
- 5 Cheap Hotels To Stay In Sardinia, Italy
This region implodes with multiple monuments, frescos buildings, and a myriad of archeological relics that has led to the region’s popularity over the years.
The Island was initially an object of annexation that spans from prehistoric times to the modern era, all of which are evident in its relics. However, these numerous civilizations that flooded the region are pivotal to its prosperity.
Overflowing with millions of tourists, the region is thus, revered among the top tourist destination in Italy.
Learning a brief history of Sardinia is certainly important. So, here is a brief historical background of Sardinia, which will give you a better highlight of how the place grew from a little obscure region to one of the highest tourist destinations in Italy.
The Historical Background Of Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia has existed from the pre-literate times – however, it is not entirely certain how the region was named Sardinia. Some historians believe that the region was named by Shedern – Sea Peoples (the naval raiders that attacked some regions in the East Mediterranean and Egypt in the 13th and 12th century BC).
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While contrarily, some other historians believe that the name was dubbed from the lead character in Plato’s Timeo. The earliest civilization that settled in the region was traced to the Nuragic in the 18th century BC.
These tribesmen made millions of development in the region through their crafts as they constructed edifices known as Nuraghe that stands today as the emblem of Sardinia.
Archeological discoveries depict about 7000 nuraghes still erected in Sardinia today, and it serves as a monumental spot in the region.
This tribesman, however, engaged in mining and trading most gems dredged up in the region, which led to Sardinia as an important commercial hub.
At this time, wealth was also accumulated by these people. This economic prosperity still radiates through the historical monuments in the city.
The Phoenicians habitually infiltrated the city’s trade routes around the 9th to 8th century BC as they developed an interest to control the region mainly because of its abundance of raw materials that would be advantageous to them.
Consequently, the Greeks also made a futile attempt to capture the city under their control, but the Phoenicians defeated them during the coup.
It was not until 510 BC that the Cathagenians usurped the powers of the Phoenicians in Sardinia after their conquest of the southern and the eastern part of the Island.
The long period of the Carthaginian domination of Sardinia ceased at the Roman control of the region in 238 BC after the First Punic War, in which the Romans defeated the Carthaginians.
Sardinia island was shaped into a vassal state by the Romans – as the locals in the city were compelled to pay constant tributes to the Romans through the grains and other similar products they cultivate in the area.
However, it should be noted that the long period of the Roman control of the Island was a difficult one, consequent to the number of revolts by the locals against the Roman government.
These difficulties led to appointing trains of provincial governors to oversee the people’s affairs. However, the Romans had difficulty solving the rebel against them until they pacified the people. The Romans controlled the Island for nearly 700 years until the empire’s fall.
The Roman occupation of the Island halted the Nuragic civilization in the Urban areas, and most rebels in those areas were driven to the mountainous side of the Island called Barbagia by the Romans. This additionally increased the locals’ rebellion against the Romans.
Sardinia In The Middle Ages
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Sardinia was confiscated by the Vandals. This Vandal government nonetheless replicated the Roman imperial government – the governor oversaw the city’s judicial, military, and other similar affairs of the state.
However, the Vandal government was short-lived due to the constant war waged against them.
Thus, the Byzantine took control of the region’s government in 533 AD. During this period of Byzantine dominion of Sardinia, Christianity peaked as most of the population converted to Christianity except those in Barbagia who continued practicing paganism.
Subsequently, the Saracens conquered the region around 705 AD during the period of Arab conquest.
During this period, the Sardinians took the initiative to seek autonomy from the continuous infiltration of their region.
They carried this out by dispatching delegates to Louis I, king of Franks. The aftermath led to the division of the regions into four independent states – Cagliari, Arborea, Torres, and Gallura.
The two maritime republics of Italy, Pisa, and Genoa, further influenced the region due to the pact between Pisa, Genoa, and Sardinia from 11th to 13th century AD. The vividity of Pisa’s influence in the region reflects in their arts and monuments as you will see to date in the city.
Many wars were fought to subdue Sardinia under the Aragonese control in the 14th -15th century. At first, only Arborea maintained its autonomy but was later conquered by the Aragonese in 1478 at the Battle of Macomer. The Aragonese hence introduced a feudal system of government in the region.
The region was further controlled by the Austrian and Spanish governments in the 17th to 18th century until it fell under Savoy during the reign of Victor Amadeus II, the king of Savoy. Sardinia remained under Savoy’s domination until the unification of Italy in 1861.
Sardinia As It Currently Stands In Modern Time
Sardinia was severely affected during the second world war as it lost most of its teeming population. The fascist period led to the founding of many agricultural communities after the reclamation of its marshy land.
At the eruption of World War II, the region became an important air and naval base in the whole of Italy and was deeply affected by the bombardment of its landmarks.
However, the reclamation projects introduced in the region around the 1960s swiveled in industrialization and infrastructural development in Sardinia.
Tourism Development In Sardinia
Sardinia is among the regions in Italy that burst with millions of tourists every year. Its tourism industry contributes intensely to its economic prosperity.
The development of infrastructure and other restoration projects incepted in the region skyrocketed its tourism sector in the years that followed.
It’s important to point out that the establishment of the Porto Cervo marked the beginning of tourism in the region, which thus, led to its recognition as one of the emblems of the European tourism industry.
Sardinia’s tourism sector elevated in the 1960s with the founding of landmarks like Romazzino, Porto Raphel, and Porto Rotondo, which led to the establishment of hotels and relaxing resorts that attract tourists in the region.
In your visit to Sardina, explore places like the Emerald coast, Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, Costa Smeralda, Nuraghe Losa, and many other important landscapes in Sardinia.
Concluding Note On The History And Tourism Of Sardinia, Italy
History unveils certain mysteries we never knew, and it is also vitally important to know the history of a city you added to your itinerary before visiting the place.
We shared this brief history of Sardinia to familiarize the place to you and pinpoints places you should visit and their culture.
Having known this, I trust you will find Sardinia, Italy, an enthralling place to tour to broaden your knowledge. So, keep traveling and keep expanding your knowledge.
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