Very friendly staff at the hotel. The female receptionist had worked in Australia before COVID.
At 9 we started driving down the west coast. Rugged countryside.
First stop was Bosa on the River Temo.
The castle was built by the Malaspina family in the 12 th century.
It had a tanning industry by the river until 1970s, and now is a cultural and tourist centre.
Colourful houses are a feature of the town.
Handicrafts throughout the town. This woman does fine needlework like lacework.
This lady, BruJana, was an architect in Northern Italy and decided twenty years ago to relocate to Bosa and set up a weaving business.
www.facebook.com/tessereletramedeltempo
A chance meeting with a local winemaker working in his cellar perfecting a white wine specialty, Malvasia. Quite a strong drop for 11 in the morning.
Next stop the nearby town of Tinnura, where murals of Sardinian life are painted on the outsides of houses.
Lunch at a very popular trattoria near the pilgrim site of St Cristina. Mark had a local specialty, Cesizzollu di Paulilatino alla piastra (roasted cheese from a nearby town).
Nuragic complex of Santa Cristina
A Bronze Age archaeological site which became a Roman settlement and then adopted by the Christians in 300AD
The sacred well is a very sophisticated design and still in remarkable condition after 3 millenia.
Now pilgrims come to sample the waters of the spring hoping for miracles.
A two story Bronze Age dwelling with staircase.
Now the whole site is dedicated to my favourite saint, Saint Cristina. We first encountered her story in Lake Bolsena in Italy when we walked the Via Francigena.
She was an eleven year old girl who around 290AD under the Emperor Diocletian, was converted to Christianity, claiming she had been visited by angels. Her father was horrified at this and fearing persecution decided to kill her. He tried iron hooks, grilling by fire, placement in a furnace, torture on a wheel, assault by snakes and assailment by arrows. All of which she survived. Her father died of frustration. She is eventually beheaded. An interesting childhood!
Tonight we are back in Cagliari and we are staying at Hotel Flora.
A chance to investigate a new area of the city
Traditional Calabrian osteria tonight
New discovery : Zeppole de San Giuseppe calabresi
Fried zeppole with vanilla custard
Another fascinating day!
M&M
1 comment:
Another wonderful day in fascinating Sardinia.
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