Piscina Rei beach (village):

Since the prestigious magazine lonely planet has rewarded us indicating Costa Rei beach like 5th in the world for beauty, we felt now also internationally recognized what we already knew. The value must be shared equally among the 7 km of uninterrupted white sand beach and the sea magically transparent but gives valuable nuances when the eyes move away from the shore of the Piscina Rei. The thought running fast on the horizon and stops at the sight of a solitary island that appears in the south-east spread out like a snake to guard the sea:
it is the Serpentara. From here begins the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara with all its treasures to visit.
By shifting our gaze to the left to Northeast we are fascinated by another rock formation that extends from shore to offshore to the east for a mile is the promontory of Capo Ferrato, beginning with residue 300 meters high volcano, Mount Ferru and reaches across the sea, creating granite cliffs on one side and hidden coves on the other. Moving away from the beach of the village after a few steps north the landscape broadens on the pond of Piscina Rei until June frequented by flamingos and other birds around lakes.
Bringing back to the sea from here to 180 degrees the view looks out on the nearby mountain ranges of the park of the National Park of the Seven Brothers. In this area the arid Mediterranean gave way to tall trees, often as a centenarian oaks, strawberry trees, olive trees. It is the natural habitat of the Sardinian deer and golden eagle, but also wild boar, hares, rabbits, hawks and turtles.

Island Serpentara (Excursions in boat, diving, snorkeling sailing from the start of the village):

On the island stands a Spanish tower, the Torre di San Luigi, who was ranked among the "stalwart" towers, patrolled by the Alcalde, four soldiers and an artillery and armed with four guns of large calibre. Island grows a very rare plant, the flycatchers, from its main feature, or serpentario, from the name of the island. Its scientific name is Helicodiceros muscivorus.
It is a tall plant about 60 cm. its pink flower covered with dense hair gives off a pungent odour to attract flies and achieve pollination with these insects.
The sea is no longer protected as on the shore of Piscina Rei by the promontory of Capo Ferrato to North and points of Cappucinis to south and the depth drops quickly to 100 meters.
It is the ideal place to dive as in “Punta Nord”, “Punta La Guardia” and Varaglioni. The groupers are sedentary and, thanks to the establishment of the marine protected area of Capo Carbonara, reach significant dimensions; impressive spectacle given by the schools of barracuda that hunt near the cliff. Seen from the bottom seem to play in huge balls that swirl slowly in fact intended to deter attack by larger predators.

Isola dei Cavoli (Excursions in boat, diving, snorkeling):

Head of the Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Cagliari is home to a lighthouse, with that of Capo Carbonara and secca dei Berni, assures the navigation in these waters for the passage of boats of the near tourist port of Villasimius.
Near the island, about 10 meters deep is a statue of Our Lady of Castaway and every year the third Sunday in July, he paid tribute with a procession by boat.
The festival is celebrated for the souls of sailors who, over the years, became victims of the sea that laps the shores of the islet. The statue, made of trachyte, is height of 4 meters and carved by the sculptor Sardinian Pinuccio Sciola, was deposed in 1979 to protect the sailors.

Scoglio di Peppino (walking along the beach, canoeing):

The beauty of the beach deserves to be appreciated even with long walks along the beach. The village Piscina Rei is the center of the coast and it’s possibile reach, in 30 minutes to south, the rock of Peppino, a giant granite block about 90 meters long and 30 metres wide.
Scene of many spot, now has now become very famous.
It has the peculiarity of having a particularly smooth surface and processed, an obvious result of hard work done by sea, which allows easily to scale the rock even in bare feet and lie down comfortably in direct contact with the big stone enjoying the natural benefits.

The bays of Capo Ferrato (mountain biking, canoeing, dinghy, Auto):

Porto Pirastu: Located in the south side of the promontory of Capo Ferrato, visible from the village. It’s a natural harbor once used by Roman ships as evidenced by the numerous finds of anchors and amphoras. Among the granite rocks you can find some beach consists of sand grain size exceptionally large that one more peculiarity to the area.
The backdrops are full of rocks and ravines that make up the usual lair of groupers, lobsters and octopus. Remains completely sheltered from the winds that blow from the northern slopes: Grecale, Tramontana and Mistral.
Cala Sa Figu: it’s also known as "Bay of amphorae" its uniqueness derives from the presence of ancient fragments of Roman amphorae remained embedded in the rocks a few meters from shore suggesting that some tragic event happened in the past when probably some of the triremes have been surprised by a sudden storm and destroyed on the rocks. Two small beaches complete a wild landscape rich in rocks and reefs. Exposure to the north protects the bay from the winds of the southern slopes: Scirocco, Ostro and Libeccio.
Portu S’ilixi is the bay next to Cala sa Figu. The beach becomes grey due to the presence of iron, the grain size of the sand is very little and the composition makes it particularly compact. The water keeps shallow for several meters from shore and so it’s particularly popular by children. There is also a interesting rock formations on either side of the beach that detect the volcanic origin of the bay.

Ponds Feraxi and Colostrai (mountain bike, car):

further north, past the beautiful and wild beach of Feraxi we meet ponds Feraxi and Colostrai. The landscape is characterized by lacustrine flamingos, knights of Italy, oystercatchers, cormorants, Marangoni and now increasingly popular, pelicans. Interesting for fans of related tourism is the visit to the eponymous pound where you appreciate fish pond farming techniques and fishing of mussels, clams and oysters as well as sea bass and sea bream.

The beaches in the south (boat, snorkeling, mountain biking):

Cala Sinzias: it’s a large white beach well equipped. Interesting is the southernmost part, completely protected the southeast wind where the granite promontory of Punta Is Cappuccinis descends quickly into the sea cliffs, creating evocative sea bed. The bottom is full of rocks and boulders fallen reflecting the color of green Mediterranean situated perpendicularly above.
Cala Pira. One of the most beautiful bays in the area, It is a natural harbor surrounded by a crescent of silver sand. The panorama opens out towards the nearby Serpentara’s Island and it’s really impressive. The Spanish tower of 1600 to guard the entrance to the bay is located in a high position and can be reached easily along a sandy path hidden by a beautiful forest of juniper. The view from above is of rare beauty.
The “Pools”: reachable only by sea are one of the most popular destinations. It is amazing to observe how the change of backdrop makes this point in the water is completely transparent. The rocks at the precipice, the rich vegetation and a small beach with a hidden cove make this one of the most beautiful place to swim.
Punta Proceddus: the diversity of the local beaches that change every few meters apart, is completed with Punta Proceddus. The beach is made up exclusively of rocks of various sizes completely smooth, probably transported by a little stream now disappeared. We are located directly opposite the Isle of Serpentara. The particularity of this point of the coast and to have a real rocky reef that extends for 300 m perpendicular to the shore. Continued presence of currents has encouraged a rich underwater habitats. The rocky bottom is kept low even allowing for easy viewing off during snorkeling.
Punta Molentis: is the most famous beach in the area. For its compliance and its location it is truly a place of rare beauty. Here the sea is always calm, whatever the sea conditions and wind. The permanent presence of two goiters contribute to the picturesque beach.
With more attention it’s possible to see the marks left on some rocks by the ancient man's work. This is, in fact, an old granite quarry where the mules came right on the beach to transport the precious material, giving the name of the bay. Also here is the interesting view from that reached by following a trail of beaches and rocks between the junipers. The view ranges from 360 ° Serpentara to the island of Cavoli and to Villasimius.
Porto Giunco: is the beach of Villasimius. The rocky promontory, the water silver, pound of Notteri characterize this stretch of coast destination for tourists of Villasimius. Interesting it’s also to visit to the trigger fish, now settled in front of the Simius Playa.
At this point you can find a unique habitat where large shoals of fish live in peace awaiting the visits of tourists who swim nicely, hoping for some crumbs of bread. For who has own boat we remember that throughout the protected marine area of Capo Carbonara are available mooring buoys can be booked through the efficient MarPark (www.marpark.it)

Archeology:

The menhirs of Piscina Rei (walk): The beauty of the coastline often hides to the visitor the special Sardinian hinterland rich in history, archeology, traditions and nature. Right next to the village is an archaeological site dating from the Neolithic. The megalithic complex consists of a 22-menhirs now hidden by the maquis.
Also in this area have been found remains of settlements dating back to Roman Empire, the plants are still visible round of the huts near the pond and the wall structure of the most important buildings to the west in places Ibba Sa Cresia and in the eastern part developed the necropolis.
Nuraghe Scalas (walk): in the hilly area near the village you can still see the construction of the central tower of the ruins of the Protonuraghe also well interesting is the megalithic complex consists of 43 of which 2 anthropomorphic menhirs arranged in alignments of 3,4 or 5. The archaeological investigations suggest that the menhirs of this complex functioned as calendar stone for the detection of seasonal cycles, were also highlighted daily correlations that allow continuous monitoring during the entire calendar year, the rising and setting of the sun and the moon.
Surface surveys undertaken in the area of the megalithic complex led to the discovery of obsidian tools (blades, scrapers) and ceramic fragments attributable to the culture of Ozieri of Late Neolithic (3200-2800 BC). The findings were associated with material Nuragic and Roman imperial era.
The Nuraghe Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu (mountain bike, car) : is one of the most important nuragic systems of the South-East being one of the few systems polylobate with a false dome towers in the Sarrabus.
Fortitude nuragica develops in the center of a small valley subcircolare, near the beach in Costa Rey in the territory of Castiadas. The Nuraghe it is of complex type and consists of a bi-lobed stronghold surrounded by a curtain wall comprising 5 towers: the tower, located in the central and highest part of the complex, encompasses the rocky crags on which it is built, is the central tower by the addition of the side tower B, which defends the entrance of the tower from SW A.

The neighboring municipalities: Castiadas, Muravera, Villasimius:

The recent history of this area has seen the succession of colonization can still see some archaeological remains testify to past events that have marked the evolution of these territories.

Quirra Castle(by car) : was built by the judges of Cagliari in the middle of the thirteenth century on a rock 296 meters high. It was the scene of many sieges for the possession and there followed in medieval age Pisan, Aragonese and Genoese.
But the castle is mainly linked to the name of the family Carroz and especially that of bloody Donna Violante Carroz, and her interesting stories.







The church of St. Nicholas of Quirra (by car): built around the twelfth century, the architecture is one of the most original and fascinating of Romanesque panorama.
Almost the uniqueness of the monument consists of the material it is made, the baked brick, molded from clay collected and processed in situ, were found remains of the quarry and brick-oven cooking.









The church of San Priamo (auto): The church is located along a cliff and consists of two distinct parts: the first was almost certainly the eleventh century, while the second was added during the Spanish rule, between the sixteenth and the seventeenth century, a period in which the whole church underwent a renovation. The entrance to the church is located to the east, on one side long and is topped by a round arch.
In the oldest part opens a cavity from which springs a small spring, which the law defines as miraculous. Was this a Neolithic temple dedicated to the worship of water.
Maybe this site was a sacred place, attended on an ongoing basis since prehistoric times, and this is evidenced by the presence of the Domus de Janas dating Ozieri culture. In historical times, perhaps since the early years of Christianity, was transformed into a Christian place of worship, dedicated to St. Priam Martyr.

Tower of Ten horses: Part of a defensive structure (perhaps dating back to the sixteenth century.) so called because it was located under the building housed a room where 10 riders with horses. The aim was to defend the beach patrolling the stretch of caste and to stop the invading Saracens from the sea.









The former penal colony of Castiadas (mountain bike, car): It was 1875 when thirty convicts and seven prison guards, left the home penalty of St. Bartholomew in Cagliari, landed on the beach between Villasimius and Castiadas. The group was led by Eugenio Cicognani: As mandated by the Ministry of the Interior, the Inspector had the task of laying the foundation stone of the new penal colony that agricultural development up to 1952, becoming the largest penal colony farm in Italy. The City has recently recovered the Director's house, stables, an entire wing of the old penal colony. All structures are of extraordinary value. A few hundred meters, in which up to half a century ago to house the cattle farmers-convicts, was created an outdoor theater. In the old jail you can visit a unique photo exhibition. A glimpse of life of inmates, including cells, beds and granite decks, photos and historical documents and video footage of the Thirties.

The Forest of Minni Minni and the Forest of S'Acqua Callenti (mountain biking, hiking) :

are the most well-equipped state forests with trails for hiking or mountain biking. You can choose different paths some more demanding. There is a rich vegetation consisting of a forest of oaks and arbutus phillyrea that create a soft carpet of dead leaves in autumn in which you can find mushrooms.
Interesting are also the presence of sources and some clearings where you can manage to see at first light, a sample of the Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus), present in good number.

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