Sardinia
Overview
Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is a mainly mountainous region, without high peaks, with a vast and charming, yet bittersweet, natural environment. In fact, the presence of man does not seem to affect this territory; great surfaces still preserve their natural composition, luxuriant woods with even millenary trees, small desert areas and marshes inhabited by deer, wild horses and rapacious birds.
Sardinian food satisfies the most demanding palates with its simple and natural ingredients, and with its delicious recipes made with the delicate and strong local products. Going from wheat products (used to make the famous pane carasau, but also the well-known malloreddus, culurgiones and fregola) to the savory porceddu (a grilled suckling pig which is served on cork trays and covered in myrtle branches), to the tuna bottarga and tasty pecorino, all can be paired with excellent wines, such as Vermentino di Gallura or Cannonau and many others.
- Sardinia is Nuraghi
Away from its famous coastline, Sardinia’s rugged interior is home to one of the world’s most intriguing architectural marvels: 7,000 mysterious stone towers known as nuraghi. Built between 1600 and 1000 BC, the circular structures aren’t found anywhere else on the planet, and their origin and purpose remain largely unknown. Most archaeologists believe that these fortresses were originally built as territorial markers between clans. By climbing one, you could almost always see another, and they formed an ingenious island-wide communication chain. Over time, this early Sardinian society surrounded many of the earlier single-tower structures with protective ramparts, spiral staircases, and as many as 17 connected towers—transforming lone bastions into colossal Bronze Age castles. Today, these otherworldly monuments are still so common throughout the island’s twisting valleys that they’ve come to symbolize Sardinia itself, and the long lost Nuragic civilization that designed them is finally gaining recognition as one of the most advanced in the ancient world.
- Sardinia is su coccoi bread (ceremonial bread)
In Sardinia, since the Neolithic age, bread has been not only the main feed, for its nutritional value, but also a cultural, spiritual and religious symbol. The meaning of bread was dual. Its daily use was for nourishing the body, while during the feasts ceremonies it was used as a votive offering, symbol of fertility. The shape given to the ceremonial bread is a true work of art reached after a long and careful processing. In Sardinia, where symbolism represents an essential story’s narrative tool, ceremonial bread is the protagonist of many parties.
- Sardinia is longevity
Sardinia is the first discovered Blue Zone, a demographic and/or geographic area of the world where people live measurably longer lives. Average life expectancy is slightly over 82 years (85 for women and 79.7 for men).
Journal
The Magic of Sardinia
Sardinia
A walk around the Cagliari’s central market, San Benedetto, is a delight for the senses.
At Roots with Argiolas' Vermentino
Sardinia
@rootseateryhk is definitely one of our neighborhood’s favourites: Chef @stephanieknwong keeps pampering us with her Cantonese flavour menu with intriguing spins.
Certa is ITALIAN-NESS
Sardinia
It isn’t easy to explain how these hereditary habits can be so intertwined with a culture. In a way, these actions all represents daily rituals of nourishment. Nourishment in its broadest sense.
Certa is TRADITION
Sardinia
Each gesture, decision, attention and sacrifice that have been tirelessly repeated and solemnly observed throughout the years, have gained an ultimate importance, becoming a tradition.