If you want to see and experience as much as possible, you sometimes have to sacrifice something important, like getting enough sleep. During my first days in the town of Orosei on the island of Sardinia, I decided to wake up early and watch the sunrise at Marina di Orosei beach.
At that time, the sun was rising from the horizon around 6:15-6:20. Since I hadn’t yet gotten the promised bicycle, the journey to the beach would take about half an hour. I set my alarm for 4:45, to give myself enough time to get ready, eat something, and head to the beach.
The thirty-minute walk to Marina di Orosei seemed long, so I decided to wake up more fully and shorten it by running. Arriving at the beach around 5:33 was enchanting – I was there all alone, surrounded by silence, the sound of the sea, and only gently illuminated landscape.
I arrived at the beach before the sun had risen, so I had time to take some photos and stroll along the shore. The silence, broken only by the sound of the waves and the near darkness, created the perfect atmosphere for my morning ritual.
Waiting for the sun was a real test of patience. At exactly 6:19, the sun began to rise, and I witnessed a truly stunning sunrise for the first time in my life. It was worth getting up early to experience this magical moment.
As I walked into the water in the dark, it felt quite strange since I could barely see anything beneath me—just darkness and a submerged tree, adding a mysterious touch to the whole scene. There, the view of the sunrise was most beautiful; that tree was odd, but intriguingly so.
After this extraordinary morning, I indulged in some swimming and sunbathing because, why not enjoy it?
Orosei: Hidden Gems of Italy
During my first days in the town, I was captivated by the ancient walls that tower over the narrow streets of Orosei. These stone structures, surrounded by history, were a daily spectacle on my commute to and from work.
On my way to my accommodation, I passed by the ancient tower, Torre Di Antonio Abate, which gradually became my focal point. My fascination with this initial stone structure eventually led me to decide to take a closer look at it.
Torre Di Antonio Abate is one of the most significant landmarks in Orosei. This tower was built in the 13th century and named after Saint Anthony the Abbot, who was a Christian monk and hermit. Originally part of the town’s defensive structures, it served as a watchtower that protected the town from potential sea raids.
Its robust architecture and strategic location attest to the importance it held in the past for defense and monitoring of the surrounding region. Standing as a solid pillar in the middle of the town, its presence reminds us of the rich history of the region, reflected in every stone.
The tower is not only a popular destination for tourists but also serves as an important landmark for local residents.
Keď som sa prechádzal komplexom okolo veže Torre Di Antonio Abate, narazil som na kostol Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate z 12. storočia. Tento kostol bol súčasťou historického centra mesta a slúžil pôvodne ako kláštor pre mníchov.
Dodnes si zachoval svoj sakrálny charakter. Je postavený z typického sardínskeho kamenného materiálu a jeho architektúra odráža dlhé obdobia duchovného života v regióne.
Okolo kostola sa voľne pohybovalo množstvo mačiek, čo dodávalo miestu osobitný charakter. Milovníci mačiek by si určite mali toto miesto pridať do svojho itineráru.
Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate
Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate
Right across the fence from the complex, there were other important buildings, such as a clinic and a post office. Interestingly, communication at the post office was not always successful, which led to a significant problem for me. Either the post office was malfunctioning, or there was a language barrier because they did not speak English. I will tell you more about this small story of the post office and what the serious problem was in another part. Back to the streets of Orosei.
The town of Orosei was characterized by light, white, flesh, and brick colors. These colors, along with the abundance of stone details and ramparts, created a sense of historical uniqueness.
Various places in the town also featured street art, such as a sculpture of a head lying on its side, which added an artistic touch to the town. However, the dominant feature of the town was the Saint James the Apostle Church from the 11th century.
Its white, majestic cathedral towered over all the buildings in the town. This church, like Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate, was a center of spiritual life and had a profound impact on the cultural and historical identity of the town.
Do you know what’s typical for Italy? Narrow streets where small cars fit perfectly, like the Fiat Cinquecento, or Fiat 500. Not the modern versions of the Fiat 500, which are as large as regular cars, but the original, historically slower models that are just right for these alleyways.
If you walk to the beach, ride a bicycle, or drive, you’ll surely notice an unusual tree on the right side—a baobab. Baobabs are quite common in Sardinia, but this one was enormous.
I decided to take a closer look. I learned that this tree grows on private property. Fortunately, the homeowners were present, and I found out from the family, who has lived there for several centuries, that the tree is approximately 250 years old.
Sometimes, when you’re unsure what to do with yourself and you’re browsing maps out of boredom, you might stumble upon something truly unusual. On the edge of the town, near a hill, I spotted a huge white object.
From the map, it looked like a hole in the ground, but beautifully white. Curiosity drove me to go there and see for myself what it was.
As I got closer, I discovered that it was a quarry.
In this quarry, marble is extracted, and its area is almost as large as the entire town of Orosei. Entry was not restricted, at least I think so, because there were no barriers and human presence didn’t seem to bother anyone.
With my buddy Šimon, whom I greet and whose Instagram you can find HERE, we decided to explore how far we could get. We eventually made it all the way to the top, where waste and stone were hauled away, and from which there was a beautiful view of the entire area.
The path to the top was so unconventional and freestyle. We followed a map that led us on a route normally used by huge trucks. We encountered a few along the way. If the trucks were too close and we didn’t want to be seen, we chose a route around, through an olive grove, then across a meadow and hiked up to the top.
When we got there, another truck appeared, and the driver just waved at us friendly. We had to hide from the first one. No one stopped us, so we were free to admire and enjoy the magnificent views the quarry offered.
In the quarry near the town of Orosei, you can witness firsthand how modern mining technologies transform raw stone into refined marble. This quarry utilizes diamond saws, known for their precision and efficiency in cutting marble. This method of extraction minimizes waste and enhances the quality of the extracted blocks. Access to the quarry is not particularly restricted, so you can come and observe the mining operations up close, as long as you adhere to safety regulations.
This quarry has been in operation for several centuries, but it has been employing modern technologies to mine marble for the last few decades.
In addition to the quarry, which is part of a large hill near Orosei, this area features numerous tourist trails that wind through diverse ecosystems. Thanks to the varied flora and fauna, this hill is a sought-after destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. In the next part, I’ll show you all the attractions you can visit on this hill.
Flying Easterner
Cross your limits – that’s where the treasure you’re searching for is hidden.
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