Paula Stanghetta July 5, 2022There are many fascinating facts about Sardegna Italy, though we’ve started you off with 5 for this blog post. Sardegna (Sar-Dey-Nya), also known as Sardinia in English, is one of Italy’s 20 Regions. It is one of two islands in Italy, the other, of course, is Sicily. Sardegna is the smaller of the two islands and is located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 200km west of Rome. D.H. Lawrence described Sardegna as ‘different’. Some might say that was an understatement. Read on to decide for yourself!
FACT 1: Sardegna is home to a high number of centenarians
Thanks to the work of researchers Gianni Pes and Michael Poulain, Sardegna is known as a ‘Blue Zone’ –
one of 5 places on earth where people live exceptionally long lives. Pes and Poulain, along with Dan
Buettner from National Geographic have studied this phenomenon and even looked at genetic markers.
What they have learned is that longevity is a combination of many factors, such as nutrition, lifestyle,
and the relative isolation of the population. However, according to the mayor of a small village nestled
in the remote hills of the province of Nouro in eastern Sardegna: “Our centenarians are people who are
used to work in the countryside, mostly as farmers or shepherds. They are simple people, who have
always loved to live simply. They share a long working life…up to eighty years of age.” A significant
additional factor that is attributed to longevity is: the elderly are never alone – community life and
family is valued. While some of this is changing as modernization comes to Sardegna and the traditional
ways of life are disappearing, Sardegna’s status as a Blue Zone is not in great danger of disappearing
soon.
FACT 2: Sardegna has nearly 4 million sheep
That fact makes Sardegna one of the areas of the world with the highest density of sheep, beating both
the UK and New Zealand. It has a history dating back thousands of years as a place that specializes in
sheep breeding, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. That’s some history! Goats and cattle are also part
of the animal breeding history, but neither comes close to the impact of sheep on its economy. With a
population in 2020 of just over 1.6 million people, the sheep outnumber the population by a long shot.
FACT 3: Sardegna may be more Spanish than Italian
Sardegna is a reflection of many cultures and traditions because of its strategic positioning in the
Meditteranean Sea. It has been occupied and conquered by many civilizations – Phoenicians,
Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Moors, to name a few. However from 1323-1708 it
was ruled by the Aragonese and Spanish. It was during these 400 years that a variety of Spanish
traditions like language and religion, became entrenched in many aspects of life. In fact, Catalan is
commonly spoken in the northwestern city of Alghero.
FACT 4: There is only 1 natural freshwater lake in Sardegna
Sardegna has few major rivers – three to be exact, ranging from 151 km long to 127 km long. There are
many large and shallow salt-water lagoons and pools along the coastline. However there is only one
natural freshwater lake, named Lago di Baratz, located in the Sassari province in north-east Sardegna.
What is abundant in Sardegna is a group of 54 artificial lakes and dams which together supply the island
with water and electricity. As a result, Sardegna is the only Italian region with an abundance of
electricity, which it exports to Corsica and mainland Italy.
FACT 5: Sardegna has some of the world’s most stunning beaches and coastline
For those who appreciate brilliant white sand and blazingly blue waters, Sardegna is a beach lover’s
paradise. Add to that the sheer cliffs or quaint islands, even non-beach lovers will be captivated by the
beauty of the 2000 km coastline. There is a beach for every desire – Solitude (Spiaggia di Piscinas on
Costa Verde), Swimming (Spiaggia Rena Bianca), Hiking (Cala Goloritzè in the Golfo Orosei), Families
(Spiaggia Sa Colonia to the west and horseshoe-shaped Spiaggia Su Portu) and Celebrity-seeking
(Spiaggia del Principe). Just remember to leave the sand on the beach, unless you want to pay a fine or
worse – time in jail.
BONUS FACT: Sardegna’s food is unique
From pasta to bread, wines and cheese, Sardegna is unmatched. It is home to one of the most ancient
pastas known in the world – Su Filendeu (meaning ‘God’s wool’). Today, only three women in the region
of Nouro know how to make it and it’s mostly done by hand, sometimes with the aid of a mechanical
dough kneader. Casu marzu pecorino is a sheep cheese that is stored in barns in the interior
mountainous area and contains an unlikely ingredient – live insect larvae aka maggots. Known as the
‘most dangerous cheese’ according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Casu marzu is symbolic of
ancient food traditions while at the same time a possible portend of future food trends.
Pane carasau is Sardegna’s traditional flatbread. Translated as ‘toasted bread’, pane carasau is a thin,
crisp, and light bread that can be eaten by itself or with cheese and meat such as salami. Some dip it in
wine as a simple snack. A fitting finale to Sardegna’s food treasures is its wines. Many of the wines are
made from grapes that are native to the island and include: Red – Cannonau, Malvasia, and White –
Vernaccia, and Vermentino. However, it may come as a surprise that beer is the most consumed
alcoholic beverage and has the highest consumption per capita in Italy, double that of the national
average.
Find More Facts about Sardegna Italy
Sardegna may be small geographically but its diverse geography, foods, history, and cultural traditions
offer travelers an abundance of opportunity to discover and enjoy. It is definitely a destination to
consider if you are looking for something off-the-beaten path. Watch this video to find more fun facts about Sardegna Italy.
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