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Tempio Pausania

The regenerating Oasis at the slopes of Limbara moutntain: thermal water, folklore and historical views of the Sardinian provincial capital.

Tempio Pausania is located at the foot of Mount Limbara (1359 m.), where the high Mediterranean scrub seems almost impenetrable. The vegetation owns so much prosperity to the presence of numerous springs, useful not only to feed the aquifer, but also to develop the Spa Industry. In fact, from Rinaggiu springs gushes out mineral water that, filtering slowly through the granite rock, deposits impurities obtaining important healing properties.

From the 1300 meters summit of the massif one admires one of the most beautiful views of the island. The mountain is rich of granite boulders, the processing of which has  a prominent place in the economy of Tempio where the granite blocks are common in typical palaces of the town, expressing an architecture similar to that of Corsica.

The town of Tempio Pausania will captivate you with the quiet charm of the palaces in the historical center of the city. You will be able to admire the ruins of the residence of the judge Nino Visconti di Gallura (1200), the medieval churches of Santa Croce (1200 approx), St. Peter's Cathedral (1219), the Oratory of the Aragonese Gothic Rosario (XIII-XIV century) with an interesting Aragonese Gothic granite facade, the church of San Francesco, built between 1543 and 1548 with Renaissance layout (the oldest evidence in Sardinia ) where the local Nobility was buried.

History. Tempio's territory was already populated in the Neolithic age, although the first evidence of the name "Templum" dates 1173. The prehistoric remains are spread throughout the territory, with several Nuraghe Culbinu, Tanca Manna, Majori, Izzana,  Budas, and Polcu, showing Cyclopics construction techniques.

The morphology of the territory has had influence on the economy of the town. In the Limbara Park, rich in endemic plant species, stand out the cork oaks. According to statistics, 80% of the cork produced in Italy is harvested in Sardinia. Cork is a valuable material used in many sectors of industry: from footwear to the wallpaper, insulator for floors and walls, for the production of corks for bottles. Most botles of Italian wine are corked with corks coming from Gallura. In the center of Tempio is a shop owned the Signora Anna Grindi, that uses cork for creating clothes following the latest trends in fashion and sometimes organizing fashion shows.

Carnival Tempiese. The bond of the community with the past is well represented by the Carrasciali Timpiesu" rituals, during which the city is overrun by tourists. Its origin of  is traced back to pre-Roman times to the presence of King George, a Deity to whom were offered sacrifices to obtain his favors. During the parades the puppet is an icon of life but also of all evil. In fact, at first is praised, then processed and burnt, linking to the fire ritual that marks the end of winter and the beginnig of early spring.

In the kitchen. And one cannot overlook the originality of tempiese gastronomy, in which sugar and honey are used for tasty associations. For example: Puligioni are ravioli containing fresh cheese and sugar flavored with cinnamon, while Uggiadini are stuffed buns with raisins. To stay on the sweet tastes here are Siadi, that similar to Seadas change shape and add chopped parsley in the sauce; and Acciuleddi and honey, fried dough passed in honey and orange peels. Among the main courses, with the usual Cuata soup, stands Lu Pan'a fitti, thick bread boiled in meat broth and seasoned with olive oil, pecorino cheese, parsley and cinnamon. Very often wild mushrooms are used, such as boletus and cardarelli, and appreciated is also the classic Roasted piglet Pulceddu and Roasted Caprittu. Accompanied by Moscato and especially with the Vermentino withe wines local food reach levels of excellence appreciated throughout the world.

What better reasons are needed to visit this part of the island of Sardinia ?! You will discover unique corners of this mysterious place. During the tour, you can not only admire the town of Tempio, visit a cork factory where you will produce yourself your cork. And the young travelers will be impressed by a visit to a ceramics workshop, where they can express their creativity decorting small ceramic artefacts. All products you make can follow you to remember this wonderful journey in Sardinia.

Duration dell`escursione half day (4 hours).

walking tour + transfer