SANT’ANTONIO DI GALLURA
Sant’Antonio di Gallura is a town in the centre of Gallura, in North East Sardinia. It is surrounded by granitic mountains and deep valleys covered in oak trees, while Lago del Liscia shines in the background.
The History of Sant'Antonio di Gallura
Thanks to the remains found in Pre-Nuragic funerary monuments from the outskirts of Sant’Antonio di Gallura, we can confirm that early humans resided in the area. At the border with Mount Lu Naracu, in Via Pergolesi, new evidence was found of an ancient residential area that celebrated their religious festivities in the ancient church of Sant’Andrea.
Just like other residential areas in Sardinia, Sant’Antonio di Gallura also has an ancient history that thrived in Nuragic times all the way to the Mediaeval times. The megalithic walls located close to the centre prove this. Sant’Antonio as we know it today was formed in the early years of the 20th century. Up until the 1950s it only had about 750 residents, it was a very small centre that focused around its church, and it was dependent on the larger town of Calangianus.
It was only in 1979 that the town became independent, and in 2000 the Presidente della Repubblica allowed Sant’Antonio to have its own crest of arms and banner.
The Beaches Near Sant'Antonio di Gallura
The peculiarity of Sant’Antonio di Gallura is its closeness to the beaches despite its over 350 m of height above them, the beaches being just over 20 km away. Among the best beaches that are the easiest to reach, the beach of Liscia Ruja ad Arzachena, the beach of Marinella, the beach of Pittulongu a Olbia and the beach of Cala Sabina a Golfo Aranci.
Sights To See In Sant'Antonio di Gallura
Those who visit Sant’Antonio di Gallura can admire the archaeological site and belvedere Lu Naracu, just a short distance from the city centre. The rocky outcrops present here have long been a natural fortress, making it easy to defend with few stretches of walls between the rocks. During the Bronze Age the highest point was likely covered in a corridor of nuraghe.
The multiple shelters made of rocks below were used as both homes and sepulchres. Archaeological digs over the years have found fragments of plates, pans, spindles, mills and remains of human bones. Today, the archaeological site has a panoramic terrace from which to admire stunning views of Gallura, including Luras, Lake del Liscia and Corsica, and the beautiful sunsets Sardinia has to offer.
Aside from this important archaeological site, the various churches present on the territory are also worth a visit. The church of Sant’Antonio Abate was only completed in 1913 as a substitute for the older church of Sant’Andrea, which at the time was too small for the growing population. It is right in the centre of town, in front of Piazza Sant’Antonio. On the inside you can admire paintings by Lucia Canu and the ceramic frontal by Titina Careddu.
Next to the church of Sant’Antonio Abate, we find the ancient church of Sant’Andrea from the Mediaeval times. In the latter part of the 1800s the residential area developed around the church. The church of Sant’Andrea has rectangular granite conches with a rectangular plan. The inside is made of one nave divided into four aisles by three arches.
Sights To See Near Sant'Antonio di Gallura
A short walk from the seaside, Sant’Antonio di Gallura shares a border with Olbia, Telti, Calangianus, Luras and Arzachena. Luras especially is a charming village, and a symbol of strength and rebirth, it is known for its Museo Etnografico Galluras and the hammer of the Femina Agabbadòra.
Calangianus is known as the capital of cork production, while Arzachena is the heart of the Emerald Coast and its charming beaches.