Area description for Casa Dorada

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Rates & avialability per week

Period	Price
July	800.00 €
August	900.00 €
September	750.00 €
October	750.00 €
November	750.00 €
December	750.00 €
Christmas	850.00 €
New Year	850.00 €
January	750.00 €
February	750.00 €
March	750.00 €
Easter week	850.00 €
April	750.00 €
May	750.00 €
June	750.00 €

Transfer from/to airport available upon request

Jacuzzi available round year

• Payment 50% by bank's remittance for bookiong
• Balance on arrival
• Secure deposit euros 500,00 upon key's delivery, refunded on keys's re-delivery

Reservations & Contacts

Casa Dorada/Ref: 5606
Owner Name	Mr Enrico Meloni
Tel	39 070 684441
Tel	39 335 7188785
E-mail	Send E-mail
» Please read before contacting the owner
* Please, mention HolidayHomes.ORG

Note:

San Benedetto

A sea of buildings outside the historic center of the city make up the new neighborhoods like San Benedetto. Starting from the heart of Villanova, these areas were developed after the Second World War, filling in available space from the eastern part of the city to the west. Elements of artistic value or scenic beauty in these areas deserve a leisurely visit.

Monuments: The church of S.Lucifero is located in the zone of the same name, along with the paleochristian Basilica of S.Saturnino, one of the oldest temples in Sardinia. The white volume of the church of Nostra Signora di Bonaria and its sanctuary is a strong element in the city's landscape. The Basilica's name is associated with a medieval legend of shipwrecks and miracles which culminated in the fortunate discovery of the image of the Virgin. In the castle of S.Michele and on the hill, where an archaeological park is being developed, history is intertwined with the tragic passions of the aristocracy that once lived there.
Museums: In the sacristy of the Bonaria sanctuary, votive offerings in the form of a collection of miniature ships and nalf paintings tell the story of sailors' faith in their patron saint. In the La Vega quarter, both the Museum of Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry, and the Museum of Geology, Paleontology, Geography house a large number of interesting finds.
Shopping and points of interest: Cagliari's active commerce finds its showplace among the streets via Dante, via Paoli, via san Benedetto, as well as the famous city market "San Benedetto" called from the locals "Su Mercau" as ideal palce to find gastronomic and floreal desks

Cagliari Centre

The Castello neighborhood is the first area to visit in Cagliari. It is the city's ancient fortification. The historic neighborhood is still partially enclosed by the bastioned walls. Two medieval towers in white stone stand along the bastion enclosure along with two city gates that escaped demolition during the 19th century. The Castello itinerary begins at the S.Pancrazio (s'Avanzada) entrance or from the Porta dei Leoni, and follows the intricate web of Spanish-influenced streets.

Monuments: The itinerary starts with the district's churches: first, the Cathedral, and the 16th century church of the Purissima in via Lamarmora. The churches of Santa Maria del Sacro Monte di Pietà, Santa Croce and that of San Giuseppe are in the lower part of the neighborhood. Some of them are closed for restoration work. Once its political, religious and administrative center, the city's more noble buildings are located in Castello. Near the Cathedral are the former City Hall, the Viceregal Palace, and the Archbishop's Palace. Farther away are the Seziate, the Arsenal, today transformed into the Cittadella dei Museums (Citadel of Museums), and moving down, the Belgrano Palace, home to the city's University. Many other private residences bear witness to an aristocracy that was tenaciously attached to the places of its history.

Museums: Castello houses the most important artistic treasures of the city, in two museum sites. The Cittadella dei Museums is home to four separate collections.
National Archaeological Museum: This rich collection of objects and other artifacts contains many high quality pieces. The succession of the island's ancient cultures is reconstructed through the exhibition of ceramics and pre-nuragic statuettes, copper ingots, nuragic bronzes and ceramics, inscriptions, Phoenician tomb furnishings and ceramics, inscribed headstones (one of the world's most important collections), and splendid Punic jewelry. Rich ceramics, terra-cotta, glass objects, statues, Roman sarcophagi, and gold jewelry dating from the High Medieval period, as well as artifacts from the Tuvixeddu and Pula necropolises (objects produced by the Phoenicians, or imported from Greece, Italy, and Spain) are particularly interesting
National Art Gallery: This museum contains a small section of contemporary art and sculpture as well as oils, coats-of-arms, religious objects, and paintings. The altarpieces are the most interesting part of the collection. They offer a panorama of the best Sardinian painting beginning with the initial Catalan-Valencian influence through the local Cavaro atelier and the related "Stampace school".
Siamese Museum: This collection includes Asian coins, ivories, silver, porcelains, and weapons dating from the 11th to 19th centuries.
Anatomical Wax Collection: The 23 anatomical models from the 19th century were executed by the famous Florentine wax model maker Clemente Susini.
In Palazzo Belgrano in Via Università are:
Print Gallery: This collection includes series of l9th century photomechanical reproductions and etchings by 20th century Sardinian artists.
The Piloni Collection: Along with paintings, prints, and etchings of views of Cagliari and Sardinia, the collection includes examples of the island's rich tradition in tapestry weaving and rug making.

Shopping and points of interest: Castello streets abound with small workshops and restoration laboratories. Some crafts, including ceramics, papier maché, wrought iron, and leather, reinterpret the most consolidated traditions. Furniture and antiques are given new life by professionals. A small antiques market, held on the second Sunday of every month in Piazza Carlo Alberto, is near the weekly flea market on the Bastione di S.Remy.

Eating and drinking: Numerous private clubs have recently opened where one can eat and drink for a moderate sum as well as hear live music.

Culture: Local crafts people and shop owners have been working for the neighborhood's revival. Some outdoor performances are held during the summer. The ISOLA (Sardinian Institute for the Organization of handicraft Work) gallery, located in Via Santa Croce, is dedicated to the exposition of the island's traditional handicrafts. The Man Ray Gallery, in Via Lamarmora, organizes temporary exhibits and discussion groups with the artists.

Promenades and open spaces: Castello is a quaint neighborhood with humble, yet singular, architecture. It is worth a leisurely walk through the shadowed alleys, which are punctuated by unexpected panoramas from the Bastioni di S. Remy, Balice, or Santa Croce.

Cagliari

Cagliari has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It occupies a favourable position between the sea and a fertile plain, and is surrounded by two [[swamps]] (which afforded defences from enemies from inner lands) and is close to high and green mountains (to which people could evacuate if everything else was lost). Some testimonies of prehistoric inhabitants were found in [[Monte Claro]] and in [[Cape Sant'Elia]].

Under the name of '''Karalis''' it was established around the 7th century BC as one of a string of [[Phoenicia]]n trading colonies in [[Sardinia]], including [[Sulcis]], [[Nora, Italy|Nora]], and [[Tharros]], that were founded from [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]]. Its foundation is expressly assigned to the [[Carthaginians]] ([[Pausanias (geographer)|Paus.]] x. 17. § 9; [[Claudian]], ''B. Gild.'' 520); and from its opportune situation for communication with [[Africa]] as well as its excellent port, it doubtless assumed under their government the same important position it occupied under the Romans. It passed with the rest of the island first to the control of [[Carthage]] and then to [[Rome]] in [[238 BC]] when the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] defeated the Carthaginians. No mention of it is found on the occasion of the Roman conquest of the island; but during the [[Second Punic War]], it was the headquarters of the praetor, T. Manlius, from whence he carried on his operations against [[Hampsicora]] and the Carthaginians ([[Livy]] xxiii. 40, 41), and appears on other occasions also as the chief naval station of the Romans in the island, and the residence of the praetor (''Id.'' xxx. 39).

[[Florus]] calls it the ''urbs urbinum'', or capital of Sardinia, and represents it as taken and severely punished by [[Gracchus]] (ii. 6. § 35), but this statement is wholly at variance with the account given by Livy, of the wars of Gracchus, in Sardinia, according to which the cities were faithful to Rome, and the revolt was confined to the mountain tribes (xli. 6, 12, 17). In the [[Caesar's civil war|Civil War]] between [[Julius Caesar|Caesar]] and [[Pompey]], the citizens of Caralis were the first to declare in favor of the former, an example soon followed by the other cities of Sardinia (Caes. ''B.C.'' i. 30); and Caesar himself touched there with his fleet on his return from Africa. (Hirt. ''B. Afr.'' 98.) A few years later, when Sardinia fell into the hands of [[Menas]], the lieutenant of [[Sextus Pompeius]], Caralis was the only city which offered any resistance, but was taken after a short siege. ([[Cassius Dio|Dion Cass.]] xlviii. 30.)

No mention of it occurs in history under the [[Roman Empire]], but it continued to be regarded as the capital of the island, and though it did not become a colony, its inhabitants obtained the rights of Roman citizens. ([[Pliny the Elder|Plin.]] iii. 7. s. 13; [[Strabo]] v. p. 224; [[Pomponius Mela|Mela]], ii. 7; [[Antonine Itinerary|Itin. Ant.]] pp. 80, 81, 82, ''etc.'') After the fall of the Western Empire it fell, together with the rest of Sardinia, into the hands of the [[Vandals]], but appears to have retained its importance throughout the Middle Ages.

Claudian describes the ancient city as extending to a considerable length towards the promontory or headland, the projection of which sheltered its port: the latter affords good anchorage for large vessels; but besides this, which is only a well-sheltered road-stead, there is adjoining the city a large salt-water lake, or lagoon, called the [[Stagno di Cagliari]], communicating by a narrow channel with the bay, which appears from Claudian to have been used in ancient times as an inner harbor or basin. (Claud. ''B. Gild.'' 520-24.) The promontory adjoining the city is evidently that noticed by Ptolemy ({{polytonic|Κάραλις πόλις καὶ ἄκρα}}), but the Caralitanum Promontorium of [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] can be no other than the headland, now called [[Capo Carbonara]], which forms the eastern boundary of the [[Gulf of Cagliari]], and the southeast point of the whole island. Immediately off it lay the little island of Ficaria (Plin. ''l. c.''; Ptol. iii. 3. § 8), now called the [[Isola dei Cavoli]].

===''Giudicato'' of Cagliari===
{{main|Giudicato of Cagliari}}
Subsequently ruled in turn by the Vandals and the [[Byzantine Empire]], Cagliari became the eponymous capital of an independent kingdom or ''giudicato'', ruled by a ''giudice'' or ''judike'' (literally "judge"). However, there is some evidence that during this period of independence from external rule, the city was deserted because it was too exposed to attacks by [[Moors|Moorish]] [[pirate]]s from the sea. Apparently many people left Cagliari and founded a new town (named ''Santa Igia'') in an area close to the Santa Gilla swamp on the west of Cagliari, but distant from the sea. The ''giudicato'' of Cagliari comprised a large area of the Campidano plain, the mineral resources of the Sulcis region and the [[mountain]] region of [[Ogliastra]]. There were other three independent and autonomous ''[[giudicati]]'' in Sardinia: [[Giudicato of Logudoro|Logudoro]] (or [[Torres]]) in the northwest, [[Giudicato of Gallura|Gallura]] in the northeast, and in the east the most famous, the long-lived [[Giudicato of Arborea]], with [[Oristano]] as its capital.
[[Image:Cagliari porto.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cagliari, Marina]]

===11th century===
During the 11th century, the [[Pisa]]n republic which had previously seized the Sulcis region in the south east, conquered the Giudicato of Cagliari and re-built the town itself. Pisa was one of the four Italian "maritime republics" that during the [[Middle Ages]] fought for control of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and its commercial routes. The other [[maritime republics]] were the short-lived [[Duchy of Amalfi]], [[Genoa]], and [[Venice]]. Pisa and Genoa had a keen interest in Sardinia because it was a perfect strategic base for controlling the commercial routes between Italy and [[North Africa]].

Some of the fortifications that still surround the current district of Castello (Casteddu 'e susu in the Sardinian language) were built by the Pisans, most notably the two remaining white limestone towers designed by architect Giovanni Capula (originally there were three towers that guarded the three gates that gave access to the district). Together with the district of Castello, Cagliari comprised the districts of [[Marina]] (which included the port), [[Stampace]] and [[Villanova]]. Marina and Stampace were guarded by [[walls]], while Villanova, which mainly hosted peasants, was not.

In [[1089]], [[Constantine I of Cagliari|Constantine Salusio de Lacon]] appeared with the title of ''rex et iudex Caralitanus'' ("King and Judge of Cagliari").

[[Image:Cagliari Roman Amphitheatre 2003.jpg|thumb|250px|Roman Amphitheatre.]]
===14th century===
During the 14th century the kingdom of Aragon conquered Cagliari after a battle against the Pisans and advanced its plan to conquer all of Sardinia. When Sardinia was finally conquered by [[Aragon]], Cagliari (during the Catalan domination the city was named ''Càller''), became the administrative capital of the vice-kingdom of Sardinia, which later came under the rule of the [[Spanish empire]]. Many agree that the Spanish domination was a period of decadence for Cagliari and Sardinia.

[[Image:Cagliari16.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Bastion of Saint Remy.]]

===18th century===
During the 18th century, after a brief rule of the [[Austria]]n Habsburgs, Cagliari and Sardinia came under the [[House of Savoy]] in 1720. As ruler of Sardinia, the Savoys took the title of kings of the Sardinian kingdom. The Sardinian kingdom comprised Savoy and [[Nice]] (currently in [[France]]), [[Piedmont]] and [[Liguria]], as well as Sardinia. Although Sardinian by name, the kingdom had its capital in Turin, in mainland Italy, where the Savoys resided. The parliament was also in [[Turin]] and its members were mainly aristocrats from [[Piedmont]] or the mainland.

By the end of the 18th century, after the [[French Revolution]], France tried to conquer Cagliari because of its strategic role in the Mediterranean sea. A French army landed in the Poetto beach and moved towards Cagliari, but the French were defeated by Sardinians who decided to defend themselves against the revolutionary army. People from Cagliari hoped to receive some concession from the Savoys in return for their defending the town: for example, aristocrats from Cagliari asked for a Sardinian representative in the [[parliament]] of the kingdom. When the Savoys refused any concession to the Sardinians, inhabitants of Cagliari rose up against the Savoys and expelled all representatives of the kingdom and people from Piedmont. This insurgence is celebrated in Cagliari during the "Die de sa Sardigna" (Sardinian Day) on the last weekend of April. However the Savoys regained control of the town after a brief period of [[Autonomous entity|autonomous]] rule.

===Modern age===
From the [[1870]]s, with the [[Italian unification|unification]] of Italy, the city experienced a century of rapid growth. Many outstanding [[building]]s were erected by the end of the 18th century during the office of Mayor [[Ottone Bacaredda]]. Many of these buildings combined influences from [[Art Nouveau]] together with the traditional Sardinian taste for flower decoration: an example is the [[white marble]] [[City Hall]] near the port. Ottone Bacaredda is also famous for the violent repression of one of the earlier worker strikes in the beginning of the 20th century.

During [[World War II]] Cagliari was heavily bombed by the [[Allies]] in February [[1943]]. In order to escape from the [[bombardment]]s and the misery of the destroyed town, many people left Cagliari and moved to the country or rural villages, often living with friends and relatives in overcrowded houses. This flight from the town is known as "sfollamento" (deserting).

After the [[Armistice with Italy|Italian armistice]] with the [[Allies]] in September 1943, the [[Wehrmacht|German Army]] took control of Cagliari and the island, but soon retreated peacefully in order to reinforce their positions in mainland Italy. The [[United States|American]] Army then took control of Cagliari. Cagliari was strategically important during the war because of its location in the Mediterranean Sea. Many airports were near Cagliari ([[Elmas]], [[Monserrato]], [[Decimomannu]], currently a [[NATO]] airbase) from which airplanes could fly to Northern Africa or mainland Italy and [[Sicily]].

After the war, the population of Cagliari rebounded and many apartment blocks were erected in new residential districts, often created with poor planning as for [[recreational areas]].

Sardinia

Location
In terms of size, it is the second largest Italian and Mediterranean island. It is situated directly below Liguria and parallel to the Bay of Naples.

The land
Sardinia is characterised by predominantly mountainous terrain and, although it lacks high peaks, boasts almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline.

Once upon a time…
The stars of the Barumini Su Nuraxi compound, the largest of its kind in Sardinia, are the ‘Nuraghe’, typical stone towers whose origins remain enigmatic, as do their creators, the Nuraghe people, one of history’s most mysterious civilisations. All that is known of them is that they arrived in Sardinia in approximately 2000 BC and championed these fortifications, some of which still survive today (there are 7,000 of them scattered across the island). At Su Nuraxi, among other things studies have verified the continued use of the “palace” from 1100 BC until the Roman era (1st century BC) when it was altered both in terms of form and use.

Things to see
Sailing and water sports enthusiasts can choose between striking inlets, bays encircled by rocks, small coves and Sardinia’s pristine sea for a fun, relaxing holiday. Explore San Teodoro, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Poltu Quatu, the Bay of Sardinia and Cala Liberotto in Orosei with its peerless white sandy beach.

Visitors can charter a sailing boat at Alghero to explore the protected area of the Asinara National Park which has the most striking landing places on the island in little nooks such as Cala Reale and Fornelli, and then make a peaceful and hushed ‘foray’ into the communities of wild white donkeys who still live there. Or, for those who want to switch between full aquatic immersion and wild parties with dancing until dawn, the Smeralda Coast, a favoured destination of the world’s rich and famous, is recommended.

Those who prefer the mountains to the sea can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Gennargentu while those who are looking to combine history, myth and curiosity can take a peek at the mysterious tombs of giants, the domus de janas (ancient burial grounds dug out of the rock which cover the region) and the Nuraghe (typical stone towers, the symbol of Sardinia). A great leap into the past could end in Cagliari where, amongst other things, visitors can see several sites which date back to the Roman era, adorned with exclusive homes and temples, but also and most importantly the amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century AC dug out of the rock of the hill which dominates the city.

Tribute
Antonio Segni and Francesco Cossiga: two former Italian Presidents united by an island, Sardinia, which gave them their birth place and a strong and decisive character too, as it did for the politician and intellectual, Antonio Gramsci, and the Nobel Prize winning writer, Grazia Deledda.

Food and drink
In general, to begin the symphony of taste found in most lunches, dinners and island snacks, the typical Carasau menu, also known as the “Music menu” because of its very subtle and crispy dough, comes to mind: it is a kind of very special bread whose roots reach far back into the past and which is usually served with cheese or cut up in soup. To follow, a minuet of rural and fanciful antipasti: a selection of cold meats with Sardinian Percorino cheese, pickled olives and fresh vegetables. If need be, substitute a seafood antipasto with mussels, crabs, molluscs, sea urchins, lobster crabs and mullet eggs.

Among possible first courses, Malloreddus pasta (in the shape of shells) prepared with a fresh tomato, dried sausage and grated Pecorino sauce, Cuata soup (hard bread, Percorino cheese, meat broth and spices baked in the oven) and Culurgionis (square, rectangular or round whole wheat ravioli filled with ricotta and chard or potatoes, cheese and saffron) all stand out. For main courses, the lion’s share goes to Porceddu (roast suckling pig served on cork trays) and Pecora in Cappotto, boiled lamb served with potatoes and onions.

Is Pabassinas (amaretto with raisins and sapa) and Gennargentu nougat are the most requested desserts, which can also be eaten with a liqueur: Filu e ‘Ferru (typical Sardinian brandies), myrtle or Indian fig.

Room with a view
Two hearts and…a pinnetta. This could be the title of a different sort of short visit, staying (preferably not alone) in one of the few surviving examples in the Supramonte (Nuoro) area of the typical structures once used by Sardinian shepherds as homes and places for making cheese. They are unusual stone houses, similar to Nuraghe huts and characterised by a circular wall about one metre high covered with a cone made of juniper and mulberry branches.