HST ROAD TRIP – ROUTE No.1
ITINERARY n.1
OLBIA-TEMPIO PROVINCE
Olbia-Porto Rotondo-Porto Cervo-La Maddalena-Caprera-Tempio Pausania
One day trip
Olbia is a city whose territory was frequented since the Neolithic. Archaeology has not confirmed the urban foundation by the Greeks, but has highlighted a continuity of settlement common to the most important port centers of Sardinia. In Via San Simplicio, not far from the railway station, stands the Romanesque church of San Simplicio, built in granite at the beginning of the twelfth century.
Leaving the northern outskirts of Olbia take the provincial road of the Costa Smeralda and, after about 20 Km, you arrive at Porto Rotondo, a prestigious tourist settlement-equipped with a fully equipped marina that is characterized by the buildings arranged around the square San Marco.
Of note is the outdoor theater, with large semicircular steps in rough granite. Born from an idea of the artist Mario Ceroli, author of the local church of San Lorenzo, the theater was inaugurated in 1995. The structure hosts shows of various kinds and has a capacity of about 700 seats.
From the crossroads continue westwards entering again at Km 24.5 on the provincial road to the Costa Smeralda turning towards Porto Cervo, whose town can be reached after about 27 Km. It is the largest of the centers of the Costa Smeralda and the first nucleus of interventions carried out on the territory of the consortium since 1962.
In a panoramic position, stands the church Stella Maris, designed by Michele Busiri Vici with the Mediterranean style typical of the Costa Smeralda.
After about 18 Km, take the SS 125 towards the north and, after about 18 Km, reach Palau, where you embark for La Maddalena, the only town of the archipelago.
From Piazza Garibaldi, also called red square for the color of the pavement, through Largo Matteotti you reach the parish church of Santa Maria Maddalena. Inside there are still two candlesticks and a silver crucifix gift of Admiral Nelson and his autograph.
Leaving the town, following the promenade from Piazza Umberto I, through the suburb Moneta, you cross the dam that connects to the Caprera island. A slow climb leads to a pine forest forking: following the road on the left you reach the large area that contains the Compendio Garibaldino.
The complex includes the buildings, the relics and all the properties once belonged to Giuseppe Garibaldi, sold to the Italian State that has taken care of the restoration and the museum layout. Focus of the visit the house of Garibaldi. The layout reflects the original destination of the individual premises but, over the years, has been repeatedly changed: weapons, flags, clothes, furniture, numerous photographs and paintings, among which the most valuable is the portrait of Garibaldi executed by Saverio Altamura from life in 1860, testify the last 26 years of life of the general.
Back on the SP 133 turn left and continue for 23 km following the signs for Tempio Pausania. The main nucleus of the village occupies the top of a terrace to the northwest of the Limbara massif. Noteworthy is the Railway Station, whose decoration was contributed by the painter Giuseppe Biasi. The artist conceived his work as a long frieze that runs all around the ticket hall, above the wooden panels that line the walls. With a language of great ornamental effectiveness are represented the subjects preferred by Biasi: the women of Osilo, drinkers and scenes of daily life that are well suited to the railway structure.
Dress comfortably and enjoy your trip!
