Carloforte

In front of the farthest south-western part of Sardinia is the Sulcis archipelago, whose main islands are S.Antioco and San Pietro. The inhabited centre is on the eastern shore of the homonymous island, linked to the dry land by an isthmus.

In front of the western south end of the Sardinia they find the archipelago of Sulcis, the main isles of which are Sant' Antioco, linked up with the firm earth by a subtle strip of land, and San Pietro. From volcanic origin, this last is endowed with many panoramic points, with an inside collinear and the coast which alternates with big cliffs and of small beaches. The county seat, the city of Carloforte, is in the oriental party of the isle, faced with the Sardinian coast.

Some rests of nuragic epoch manifest the presence of ancient installations on the isle of San Pietro, that, by its position of port of call along roads for the Sardinia, was even a point of collision for the Greek navigators, that they called it Hieracon, Phoenicians and Roman, which called it Accipitrum Insula (isle of sparrow hawks). But the history of the isle began the time of Marine Republics, when the citizens of the islet of Tabarka, near the Tunisian coasts, and which in epoch belonged in Genoa, exasperated by barbaric uninterrupted plagues, picks the invitation of King Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy, which put the isle of San Pietro in them of the disposition, so that they can find shelter there. So from 17 of the April, 1738, further to an agreement signed a year before, a first group of tabarkins settlers settles in San Pietro and began the first jobs of what will become the most important core of dwelling of the isle: Carloforte, so called in honour of the king of Savoy. Walls were the first constructions to be constructed to defend itself against barbaric incursions, and, in next to no time the population began thriving. In the crop of the coral added the peach of the tuna, the crop of salt, agriculture and trade: the masters of axe of Carloforte were even known beyond the Mediterranean, considered better of the admiral Nelson. To original core was added a big group of immigrants coming from Campania, Liguria and from the isle of Ponza. On September 2nd, 1798 they proved the most serious episodes of the history of the isle: the Tunisian corsairs entered the city and they ransacked it, kidnapping about eight hundred citizens, who found freedom only five years afterwards, when Victor Emmanuel achieves it in buying them back. In the power fascist the population of the isle attained the maximum, by the beginning of extractive activity: the main mines (Capo Rosso, Macchione, Bocchette and Calafico), today having closed produced of the yellow ochre and purple and manganese. The naval construction sites developed and manifested citizens' labour of Carloforte. . By taking the provincial road we meet the beach of Giunco, in order; of Girin, Black Top, Guidi, small beach of Bobba, Lucchese, Caletta, which white sand contrasts with the absolute volcanic rocks of origin of the isle. The most fond of good food cannot lose the tuna feast, which takes place every year, the first Sunday of May. Main religious feasts are San Giovanni Battista, June 23/24, San Pietro, on June 29th, on the occasion of  which takes place an evocative stream in sea, and the Madonna dello Schiavo, on November 15th. This last, which celebrates the find of a statue representing a small black Madonna, is perhaps the feast most felt by Tabarkins. The city of Carloforte, approachable by the sea by Calasetta, on the isle of San Pietro, with a crossing about 20 minutes, and of Harbour Vesme, always with the boat, in 45 minutes, is the only centre lived of the isle. Divided into quarters, the small city presents low buildings and narrow alleyways, typical of maritime market towns and, particularly, from small of Liguria cities. On the basis of the nice coastal region, which in party becomes the place of meeting and promenade for the citizens of the place as for the tourists, we arrive at the main harbour, where arrive boats. Here the place Carlo Emmanuel III opens, where in the centre sets itself up the monument in honour of the sovereign of Savoy ; not far stays San Carlo's church. By going through characteristics alleyways and by aiming us to the centre, we arrive at the quarter called Castello, where they find the ancient walls of surrounding, the fort and the door of the Lion. To visit the civic museum also " Casa del Duca ", where are reconstructed the activities of tuna boats. Near the museum they find the Tank of the King even, today unused. On the street Marconi we meet a crucifix overcome by a small cockerel, and called Cruxe of Gallu, evidence of the fusion of the Christian and pagan symbolism. By coming back towards the coastal region we arrive at the Place Pegli, where sets itself up the Monument in Deaths and where every week is held the market. In the coastal region they find even the Movies-Theatre Cavallera, which makes cinema and theatre, in periphery the small church of Novelli Innocents, constructed to the memory of a shipwreck of the time of crusades. In the locality of Spalmadoreddu, out of the lived centre, there is the astronomic observatory, which is worth being visited because it enjoys terms ideal for the observation of the sky, and the weather station, while, in the other party of the isle, to capo Sandalo, the headlight is. The coasts of the isle of San Pietro are particularly nice and rich. On the basis of the harbour towards the south we arrive at the beaches of Palmadoreddu and Giunco, followed by Seccagno and by the little bay of Girin. By continuing we find the beach of Black Top, with a nice cavern. They arrive then at the columns of Carloforte, in the southern top of the isle. Not far from there there is the beach of Lucchese, the isle of Genià and Punta Grossa, and in surroundings. Beyond the top we find the gulf of Mezzaluna, rich in caverns to be visited. By continuing we meet the cavern of the Bue Marino which accepted the seal "monk " till the beginning of 1900s, and then Punta Fradelin and Punta Spalmatore with his vast beach. By going back up northward, overtopped the beach Caletta, the coast is in most cases rocky, with promontories as Punta dei Cannoni, Spine and Caporosso, where they can admire the rarest avifaune. They arrive then at Capo Sandalo, faced with whom rises the islet del Corno, place of predilection of divers. By going on we meet Calafico and a cliff where rocks were modelled by the wind and took the strangest forms. We arrive then at the channel of Calavinagra, where before they found tuna boats. By continuing the journey of the isle we see Troggiu, a natural swimming pool, and Nasca, rich in caverns and in hollow, more a long way there is the cavern of Gooses, deep about 50 metres, the channel of Mamerosso, Punta Regolina and Tacche Bianche. Shortly afterwards  follow the channels of Calalunga and Natte and the cliff of Punta are in order. Owing they find the isle Piana and the islet of Ratti. In this party of the coast we find Tacca Rossa and the beach of Cantagallina; finally, following Canalfondo, we meet so as to departure, the harbour.