Tempio Pausania
This small village appears at the end of a long, winding road through granite scenery, wild bush and holm-oak forests that, from the central-northern coast heads towards the interior of the island. It was founded on a mountain slope 650 meters high. The village is called Tempio; immersed in the green forest of cork trees, St. Lawrence pine bush and quite a hilly landscape.
Its territory's morphology seems to contrast a bit with the city's harsh, austere, ground-level dwellings or the small stone buildings that appear on the paved streets.
The network of roads penetrates between buildings and main roads, widening only in the centre, allowing for a deep breath of fresh air, then continuing on slowly to be better observed.
This protective environment, with its hills and promontories, has always favoured human settlement in the area. A flourishing community of the XVI Century B.C. left testimonies of its existence here with the Nuraghe of Majori and Izzana.
Later, in the Byzantine period, the village of Villa Templi was founded and became the principal town of the Gemini Administration. Other proof of Tempio's prosperity is the granite Cathedral constructed in 1400 and restored between the XVIII and XIX Centuries.
Between the XVI and XVII Centuries, Tempio became the cultural and religious centre of the territory; the convent of St. Francis, the Scolopi college and convent and the church were founded then. In 1837 Tempio became the headquarters of King Charles Albert of Savoy who conferred Tempio with the status of town.
History has left its mark in Tempio, but its generous nature has allowed for the constructing of the thermal complex Rinaggiu, among the most important in Sardinia. It's situated on the north side of the city, immersed in hundred-year old trees and slopes that surround it. Its climate conditions are always temperate - neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter. Equipped with best therapeutic characteristics, medical studios, gyms and sports equipment as well as an amphitheatre, we recommend Rinaggiù as the perfect option for your summer holiday.
Tempio's landscape invites us on exciting natural and archaeological excursions. Through majestic granite rocks, streams, waterfalls and oak bushes; on foot or by bike and even by car down narrow roads that bring you to fabulous places where you can feel the remote air and infinite solitude, where the melodic sounds of nature soothe the human ear and you can admire a never-ending and obstacle-free view.
The visit of the Nuraghe Majori is highly recommended. It can be reached by taking the main road n. 133 in direction of Palau. At km. 1,5 there is a country road on which you should continue for 500 m until you reach the Nuraghe. The route contains numerous road signs. You will find yourself in front of a huge, granite construction of irregular shapes, with only one tower, a central corridor and two rooms. There are stairs in the corridor that lead to the bastion.
An excursion in the Limbara mountains is also very interesting. If you reach the Valliciola summit, you will get a glimpse of paradise that engulfs the entire Gallura region, Anglona, the sea and even the mountains in Corsica.
The hilly landscape, the agricultural ground plus the climactic conditions have always favoured grape growing that produces the precious and famous wines like Muscat or Vermentino as well as excellent red and rosé wines.
Handicrafts is another flourishing activity in Tempio - tourists cannot leave the area without a cork souvenir. Cork forests are really spectacular in this area. Cork production on an industrial scale just began in the beginning of the XIX Century. There is a experimental cork station that is involved in the scientific research on this type of tree and the application of its products in various sectors from the building to the clothing industry.