Cagliari
Cagliari
The capital of Sardinia and the largest town is the thriving industrial port of Cagliari. Despite its size the old centre is charmingly compact, contained within the city walls and Pisan fortifications. The main attractions are the National Archaeological Museum, which contains prehistoric tombs and other significant artefacts from the Punic and Roman periods, the impressive cathedral, and a smattering of Roman ruins. The suburb of Poetto has a four-mile (6km) stretch of sandy beach with some small bars nearby. The famous nuraghe of Su Nuraxi near Barumini are within easy reach of the town.
The Citadel of Museums
At the heart of the Sardinian capital of Cagliari is the centre for historical and cultural exploration called the Citadel of Museums. Here is sited the National Archaeological Museum, the National Picture Gallery, the Cardu Siamese Museum and a collection of anatomical waxes by Florentine sculptor, Clemente Susini, all administered by the University. The Archaeological Museum houses artefacts from all the ancient cultures of the island, including ceramics from Phoenician tombs, Punic jewellery and Nuragic bronzes. The Picture Gallery contains a collection of contemporary art and sculpture, while the Siamese museum exhibits fascinating items from the east. The unique Collection of Waxes consists of 23 models of parts of the human body created by Clemente Susini, from waxes, resin, tallow, pitch and balsam.
Address: Piazza Arsenale; Telephone: (070) 662 837. Archaeological Museum: (070) 655 911; Picture Gallery: (070) 674 054; Collection of Waxes: (070) 664 783; Opening time: Archaeological Museum: 9am to 7.30pm (closed Mondays); Picture Gallery: 8.30am to 7.30pm (11.30pm in summer); Collection of Waxes: Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
Trenino Verde
The Sardinian coastline offers an unforgettable and enchanting image of white sands and crystalline waters, however the islands interior is just as beautiful, with lush forests and rich in natural decoration. A fun way to explore it is aboard the Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), a vintage steam locomotive that puffs its way through forests, over bridges and through tunnels into some of the island's most scenic mountain areas. The narrow gauge train tracks were laid in 1888 to serve the more isolated areas of Sardinia, and the picturesque restored train and locomotive is just as old. The train runs on scheduled routes, connecting Nuoro and Bosa, Sassari and Alghero, Sassari and Palau, and Cagliari and Arbatax. Most popular is the Cagliari to Arbatax route, which departs each morning at 6.45am.
Telephone: (079) 245 740 (schedules and routes); Opening time: Daily between 30 June and 1 September
