Santa Teresa Gallura is a commune in the province of Olbia-Tempio. The city practically winds along a promontory
that faces northward toward the southern coast of Corsica, only 11 miles away. The main part of the city is built
up along two inlets, that of Porto Longone and, the other,
Rena Bianca which has an extra-fine sandy beach.
Other beautiful beaches worth a visit are La Colba,
Lido Rena di Ponente or della Taltana,
Cala Spinosa, la
Marmorata, Cala Sambuco, Porto Liscia, and the fascinating Valle della Luna
(Cala Grande) where the landscape
is dominated by natural granite formations sculpted by the wind and sea and one finds colonies of hippies and
people from afar who like open air living.
This far northern end of Sardinia, comprising rugged granite cliffs and landscapes of Mediterranean brush, has been
inhabited since prehistoric times. The first settlement, dating back to the nuraghic period (4000 B.C.), has left
traces in certain of the archeological sites in the vicinity. On the road to
Capo Testa (the most attractive
area along this coast) are the remains of a
whole nuraghic village, with the circular under-structures of the
huts, the animal pens and even the foundations of a furnace. Other interesting remains are the
tombe dei giganti
[giants' tombs], collective burial sites characteristic of the nuraghic era. Recent excavations at one of
these, the tomba di 'Lu Brandali', have furnished important historic
and scientific information that has allowed
experts to establish the funeral rites of the ancient culture.
Places to visit in Santa Teresa include the Chiesa di San Vittorio,
the Museo della Fondazione, the torre di
Longosardo, the Palazzo Comunale and the port with its many shops,
snack bars, cafés, and restaurants.
The most important events are the celebrations in honor of San Tommaso a Porto Pozzo
(the first Saturday and
Sunday in July), the festa della Fondazione in August,
and the festa patronale on October 15th. The local
cuisine is particularly tasty, with various typical dishes, such as
ravioli alla gallurese and two particular
soups, zuppa gallurese (also called
suppa cuata) and Santa Teresa fish soup.
