Porto Torres

Porto Torres is in the province of Sassari and lies right on the coast with a population of 21,064 inhabitants. It is currently one of Sardinia’s most important passenger-ferry ports.
The town was founded in the 1st century A.D. and expanded at lightning speed due to its strategic position.
In no time at all it became an important trading area and is still the most important industrial port in Sardinia.
One of the most important churches to visit is the Basilica of S. Gavino: the building is in Pisan-Romanesque style and was built in the second half of the 11th century.
Just outside the town you can visit the necropolis of Su Crucifissu Mannu which has about twenty tombs carved into the rock.
An important archaeological site is Turris Lybissonis, a typically Roman town. At this site you can see the archaeological remains of public baths, shops, streets and a few houses. The Roman bridge here is the largest in Sardinia and was still used until a few years ago. The stunningly beautiful Island of Asinara is situated not far from the town and at one time was an important port-of-call for the Phoenicians on their trading voyages and subsequently became a destination for Greek and, later, Roman ships. Today it is a National Park.
During the Middle Ages a community of monks came here and dedicated themselves to cultivating the land. It also became a particularly interesting point of reference for many pirates because of its position.
During the First World War the island was used as a concentration camp and in the 1980s a maximum security prison was built here. One of the most important events that take place in the town is the annual sailing regatta in June, known as the “Vela Latina”.
As regards religious festivals, the most important and deeply-felt festival is the one in honour of S. Gavino, which is held at the beginning of May. The procession on land winds its way down to the little Church of S.Gavino a Mare, and then on the Monday there is a procession of boats out at sea and the blessing. The festival closes with the Sagra del Pesce (Fish Feast).