In the second week, we hosted Gian Pietro Carrogu, a PhD student in clinical psychology from the University of Cagliari, who gave a presentation titled Metalla and the Sea. Gian told us about his homeland, its traditions, and the beauty of the island. He also prepared a dish for us to taste, one that is commonly made in Sardinia.
Sardinia is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by mountains, hills, breathtaking coves, and stunning beaches. Gian showed us such incredible personal photos that my travel bucket list just got one item longer. One of the places he mentioned was Grotta di Su Mannau, a cave that stretches for 8 km and contains two underground rivers. The island is also home to amazing beaches, such as Portixeddu. Another notable site is Capo Pecora, which, according to Gian, is an excellent spot for hiking.
Throughout history, Sardinia has been under Roman, Byzantine, Phoenician, and Spanish rule, among others. Today, it is a region of Italy with special autonomy. As an interesting addition, Gian also showed us maps from the 16th and 17th centuries, which depicted the island with surprising accuracy.
The island has architectural remains from various historical periods. There are chamber tombs carved into rocks from the pre-Nuragic era, called Domus de Janas, meaning "fairy houses." The Nuraghe (or Nuragic complexes) are structures built during the Nuragic period (between 1900 and 730 BCE), the most famous of which is Su Nuraxi di Barumini. Between 1800 and 1400 BCE, the Tombe dei Giganti ("Tombs of the Giants") were constructed. Another relic from the Nuragic era is Pozzo Sacro di Santa Cristina, or the Sacred Well of Santa Cristina. From the era of the ancient Carthaginians and Romans, the Tempio di Antas ("Temple of Antas") in Fluminimaggiore stands as a significant historical site, having been restored in the 20th century.
One of Sardinia's most notable celebrations is Ferragosto on August 15, a public holiday dedicated to festivities, travel, and relaxation. Additionally, every winter, various carnivals are held, such as the one in Fonni, where participants dress up in costumes and wear masks. Among the parade groups is the Mamuthones, along with others such as Boes e Merdules and Su Bundu, who wear different types of masks for the occasion. These masks and outfits bear some resemblance to those seen during Hungary’s Busójárás festival.
It was fascinating to listen to the presentation, as it is always great to learn more about another culture!