Every self-respecting castle has its ghost, and Baldu Castle is no exception. Legend has it that the ghost of Ubaldo II Visconti, an important historical figure who lived during the Kingdom of Gallura, wanders around its walls and among its rooms. He held the office of judge of Gallura from 1225 until his death and was buried, according to tradition, in the Basilica of Nostra Signora di Luogosanto. However, it is said that his ghost continues to roam in the vicinity of the castle. According to legend, Ubaldo would appear near the small church of Santo Stefano dressed in Pisan lordly robes typical of the 14th century and would only show himself to the truly believing and worthy.

More than 90% of Italian granite is mined in Sardinia. Gallura’s pink granite is one of the most important rocks worldwide and is known as Rosa Beta granite. It is the second most precious rock after Carrara marble. There are mainly two varieties of granite in Gallura: pink granite, also called ‘ghiandone’, and pearl-grey granite. Ghiandone granite can be found in Alta Gallura, whereas pearl-grey granite can be found in southern Gallura, especially in the area of Buddusò, where about 70% of the domestic production is mined.

Pink granite is the truly distinctive feature of Gallura’s landscape: you can admire it on the jagged coastline, windswept by the northwest wind and shaped by the sea waves. Granite is predominant in Gallura and is slowly carved by the forces of nature, thus resulting in shapes that resemble animals or geometric forms.

Generally speaking, it is important to highlight that Sardinia is considered the land of longevity. Some local municipalities, such as Arzachena, La Maddalena, Luogosanto, and Aglientu, show interesting data on people aged one hundred years old or over. Pes, the one who identified and studied Blue Zones worldwide, is working on new data, which would hint at Gallura being a new Blue Zone.

Life here seems to flow at a less stressful pace. The air is pure, and the surrounding nature is unspoilt. Narrow alleys, steep streets, and quaint small houses almost seem to protect these areas from the negative impacts of globalisation, enclosing them in a ‘bubble’ that safeguards the secret to longevity.

A healthy diet based on rural products, long walks, and a good dose of spirituality: the local relaxed and informal lifestyle can be a perfect antidote to the stress of modern life.

Craftsmanship, food and wine, local festivals, and the mild climate that ensures an almost seven-month-long summer every year make Gallura and Monte Acuto one of the most attractive and visited destinations in the Mediterranean Basin.

Many festivals and celebrations are held, which often provide the chance to savour traditional dishes and desserts and to enhance the typical, distinctive flavours of local municipalities.

This region attracts tourists not only for its white beaches and emerald-green waters but also for its local events, specialities, and products.

A journey to discover flavours and places to be enjoyed in autumn. A season to appreciate an authentic and uncrowded Gallura. A magic moment to cherish wild, crystal-clear waters. Autumn is a good season to enjoy the essence of Gallura.

The sea is not the only attraction. Discover the true Gallura and explore the hinterland without giving up relaxation and the beauty, flavours, and colours of the island. Enjoy a walk in the mountains and a visit to Gallura’s and Monte Acuto’s old villages.

The Sardinian countryside is tinged with warm, enchanting hues, and vineyards are ready to be harvested. The hills and the mountains offer breathtaking views with a variety of colours that enhance the landscape through the shades of autumn.

Gallura-style soup is thought to have its origins in the Middle Ages because it is featured in recipe books of the time and resembles Catalan or Aragonese soup. Over the years, Gallura-style soup has always been perceived as a traditional, humble dish. It is prepared with leftover stale bread, leftover meat broth, and some cheese and spices to add some flavour.

The main tale, which constitutes the work’s leitmotiv, focuses on Bastiano Tansu, one of the most notorious Sardinian bandits: he was nicknamed ‘the Terrible’ but known simply as ‘the mute man’ because he was born deaf and without speech.

The novel is first and foremost an extraordinary journey at the discovery of Gallura, its history, culture, and unique and distinctive landscape. Many years have passed since the release of this work, yet it remains highly captivating. The book is still reprinted and, above all, sold.

Thanks to the Mediterranean climate and the magic of this area, Vermentino is sheer poetry here: Gallura’s granitic landscapes are shaped by wind and sea, which – together with the sun – are ever-present in this region. Due to this natural weathering, Gallura’s soil is sandy, sometimes clayey, and rich in potassium, sodium, and calcium. Together with skeletal remains, these substances result in exceptionally fragrant and sapid mineral wines.

Sunshine allows for a fast and ideal development of grapes. When they reach maturity between August and September, they acquire a golden colour. On the other hand, the wind offsets the typical moisture of this variety. Together with temperature excursions between day and night and the local microclimate, it gives grapes their typical fragrance.

With its distinctive features and uniqueness, Gallura embodies the beauty of the island: here, granite and large,natural stone monuments go hand in hand with one of the most crystal-clear seas in the world.

The sea, however, is not the only attraction. Important prehistoric archaeological sites stand out in all their splendour, while modern constructions tell the tale of a pretty recent past.

These places further enrich a region characterised by rare uniqueness. Here, silence and the chance to live away from clamour coexist with an area that, just a few kilometres away, becomes the centre of summer and the world year after year.