Sardinia: the story on HearLore

Sardinia

Sardinia is the only place on Earth where a civilization built thousands of stone towers without using mortar, cement, or the wheel. These structures, known as nuraghes, dot the landscape like a prehistoric forest of stone sentinels, with over 7,000 examples still standing today. The most complex of these, such as the Nuraghe Santu Antine, were not simple watchtowers but massive fortresses with multiple towers, galleries, and thrones carved directly into the rock. The engineering required to move and stack these massive blocks, some weighing several tons, remains a subject of intense archaeological debate. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt or the temples of Greece, the nuraghes were built by a people who left no written records, yet they managed to coordinate labor on a scale that rivals the great empires of antiquity. The island's geology, rich in granite and trachyte, provided the raw material for these monuments, which were constructed between 1800 BC and 730 BC. The Nuragic civilization, which gave the island its name, flourished in isolation, developing a unique culture that combined advanced metallurgy with a deep spiritual connection to the landscape. They built sacred wells, giant tombs known as giants' graves, and temples dedicated to the sun and the moon. The statues of Mont'e Prama, massive bronze and stone figures found in the 1970s, depict warriors, archers, and giants, suggesting a society that valued martial prowess and religious ritual above all else. These artifacts, along with the thousands of nuraghes, stand as a testament to a people who thrived in the Mediterranean long before the rise of Rome, creating a legacy that would eventually be erased by the very forces they resisted.

The Sea Peoples and the Roman Silence

The ancient name of the island, Sardinia, may have originated from the Sherden, one of the Sea Peoples who terrorized the Mediterranean coast in the 12th century BC. These fierce warriors, known for their distinctive horned helmets and crescent shields, were not merely raiders but skilled metalworkers who supplied copper and lead to the great empires of the ancient world. The Romans, who conquered the island in 238 BC, found a land already divided into tribal kingdoms, each with its own leader and customs. The Roman occupation lasted for nearly 700 years, yet the island remained a backwater, a source of grain and slaves rather than a center of culture. The Romans called the mountainous interior Barbaria, meaning 'barbarian land,' and it was here that the Nuragic culture survived longest, resisting Romanization until the 6th century AD. The coastal cities, such as Caralis and Nora, were enlarged and embellished, but the interior remained a stronghold of the old ways. The Roman military presence was often contested by the Sardinian tribes, who waged guerrilla warfare against the invaders. The island's strategic location made it a target for Carthage, which had controlled parts of the island before the Romans arrived. The Carthaginians, like the Romans, found the Sardinians difficult to subdue, and the island became a battleground for the great powers of the ancient world. The Roman period also saw the introduction of Christianity, which slowly replaced the old pagan beliefs, though the mountainous regions remained resistant to the new faith. The legacy of the Roman occupation is visible in the ruins of forums, baths, and temples, but the true spirit of Sardinia lies in the stone towers that still stand, a silent witness to the rise and fall of empires.

What is the ancient name of Sardinia and who gave it that name?

The ancient name of the island is Sardinia, which may have originated from the Sherden, one of the Sea Peoples who terrorized the Mediterranean coast in the 12th century BC. These fierce warriors were known for their distinctive horned helmets and crescent shields and supplied copper and lead to the great empires of the ancient world.

When were the nuraghes built and how many examples still stand today?

The nuraghes were constructed between 1800 BC and 730 BC by the Nuragic civilization. Over 7,000 examples of these stone towers still stand today, with the most complex structures like the Nuraghe Santu Antine serving as massive fortresses with multiple towers and galleries.

Who was Eleanor of Arborea and what legal code did she promulgate?

Eleanor of Arborea was a legendary judge of the Judicate of Arborea who promulgated the Carta de Logu, a legal code that granted women the right to refuse marriage and to own property. This code made 14th-century Sardinia one of the most progressive societies in Europe.

When did the Sardinians repel a French expedition led by Napoleon Bonaparte?

The Sardinians repelled a French expedition led by a young Napoleon Bonaparte in 1793. The Sardinian fleet commanded by Domenico Millelire defeated the French near the Maddalena archipelago and stopped a French landing on the beach of Quartu Sant'Elena.

When was the Sardinian Free Trade Zone established and what tax benefits does it offer?

The Sardinian Free Trade Zone was established in 2013 and has made the island a tax haven with no customs duties, value added tax, or excise taxes on fuel. This zone aims to boost the economy despite constraints from high transportation and electricity costs.

The Four Kingdoms of the Judges

After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Sardinia did not become a province of a new empire but instead fractured into four independent kingdoms known as Judicates. These were the Judicate of Cagliari, the Judicate of Arborea, the Judicate of Gallura, and the Judicate of Logudoro. Each kingdom was ruled by a judge, a title that meant both a ruler and a judge, reflecting the dual role of the leader as both a political and legal authority. The Judicates were not feudal states in the traditional sense; they maintained a form of semi-democratic governance, with national assemblies known as the Crown of the Realm. The Judicate of Arborea, with its capital at Oristano, was the longest-lived and the most powerful, eventually challenging the authority of the Crown of Aragon. The Arborean judges, including the legendary Eleanor of Arborea, promulgated the Carta de Logu, a legal code that was revolutionary for its time. The code granted women the right to refuse marriage and to own property, making 14th-century Sardinia one of the most progressive societies in Europe. The Judicates were also centers of culture and art, with the construction of magnificent churches and monasteries that blended Byzantine and Romanesque styles. The rivalry between the Judicates and the Italian maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa shaped the political landscape of the island, leading to a series of wars and alliances. The Judicate of Cagliari was destroyed in 1258, and the Judicate of Logudoro ended in 1259, leaving only Arborea and Gallura to face the growing power of Aragon. The Judicate of Gallura fell in 1288, and the Judicate of Arborea was finally defeated in 1409, marking the end of Sardinian independence. The conquest by Aragon introduced the feudal system to the island, a system that had already been abandoned by many other European countries. The Judicates left a legacy of autonomy and resistance that would inspire future generations of Sardinians to fight for their independence.

The Spanish Century and the Sardinian Vespers

For nearly 400 years, from 1323 to 1708, Sardinia was ruled by the Crown of Aragon, which later became part of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish period was marked by the construction of hundreds of coastal towers to defend against Barbary pirates, a threat that had plagued the island for centuries. The towers, such as the Torre della Pelosa in Stintino, still stand today, a reminder of the constant danger that the islanders faced. The Spanish rule also brought about a period of cultural assimilation, with the introduction of Spanish traditions, customs, and linguistic expressions. The Catalan language is still spoken in the northwestern city of Alghero, a legacy of the Spanish period. The Spanish era was also marked by a series of famines, with the terrible famine of 1680 claiming the lives of 80,000 people, a third of the island's population. The Spanish rulers introduced the feudal system to the island, which had been absent in the Judicates, and the Sardinians were forced to accept a new social order. The Spanish period ended with the War of the Spanish Succession, when the island was transferred to the Austrians and then to the House of Savoy. The Savoyards, who ruled from Turin, began a process of Italianization, introducing the Italian language and suppressing the Sardinian language and culture. The Sardinians resisted this new rule, and in 1793, they repelled a French expedition led by a young Napoleon Bonaparte. The Sardinian fleet, commanded by Domenico Millelire, defeated the French near the Maddalena archipelago, and the Sardinians stopped a French landing on the beach of Quartu Sant'Elena. The resistance to Savoyard rule culminated in the Sardinian Vespers of 1794, an uprising in Cagliari that resulted in the expulsion and execution of Piedmontese officers. The revolt spread to Sassari, where insurgents demanded an end to feudalism and the declaration of an independent republic. The movement was led by Giovanni Maria Angioy, who fled to Paris to seek French support for a Sardinian annexation. The Savoyards eventually crushed the revolt, but the spirit of resistance lived on, inspiring future generations to fight for their autonomy.

The Iron and the Fire of the Twentieth Century

The 20th century brought both prosperity and destruction to Sardinia, as the island was transformed by industrialization and war. The Fascist period saw the reclamation of swamps and the founding of agrarian communities, such as the village of Mussolinia, now called Arborea, and the city of Carbonia, which became the center of coal mining. The Sardinian writer Grazia Deledda won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1926, bringing international attention to the island's culture. During the Second World War, Sardinia was an important air and naval base and was heavily bombed by the Allies, especially the city of Cagliari. The German troops left the island without a fight, after a bilateral agreement between the general Antonio Basso and the German Karl Hans Lungerhausen. The post-war period saw the elimination of malaria and the beginning of a tourist boom, which transformed the island's economy. The 1960s brought an industrialization effort, with the construction of new dams, roads, and large industrial complexes, including oil refineries and petrochemical operations. The 1973 oil crisis caused the termination of employment for thousands of workers, aggravating the emigration that had already been present. The island also became the site of military bases, with around 60% of all Italian and NATO military installations located on Sardinia. The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of Sardinian nationalism and local protest movements, with bandits and militant groups blending separatist and communist ideas. The Sardinian Action Party was elected president of the regional parliament in 1983, and in the 1990s, the island's languages were recognized, even if just formally. The 35th G8 summit was planned to be held in Sardinia, but the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, moved the summit to L'Aquila, provoking heavy protests. Today, Sardinia is phasing in as an EU region, with a diversified economy focused on tourism and the tertiary sector. The island has become a leader in renewable energy, with wind power and solar power playing a significant role in its economy. The Sardinian Free Trade Zone, established in 2013, has made the island a tax haven, with no customs duties, value added tax, or excise taxes on fuel. The island's economy is constrained by the high costs of transportation and electricity, but it remains one of the most productive regions in Italy.