Camusina pear of Vallermosa

Assemini is a charming town located just 12 kilometers from Cagliari, nestled in the fertile plain crossed by the Cixerri, Flumini Mannu, and Sa Nuxedda rivers. With around 25,500 inhabitants, it offers a harmonious blend of history, nature, and craftsmanship, providing visitors with an authentic and welcoming environment.

The historic center preserves valuable examples of traditional architecture, such as Campidanese houses built in ladiri—sun-dried clay and straw bricks—and small squares that tell centuries of community life. Notable religious buildings include the Church of San Giovanni Battista, of Byzantine origin with a Greek-cross plan, and the Parish Church of San Pietro, rebuilt in the 16th century in the Gothic-Catalan style. Strolling through the streets allows visitors to connect with a living history deeply rooted in local traditions.

Assemini is renowned throughout Sardinia for its ancient ceramic tradition, dating back to Carthaginian times and still maintained today by numerous workshops and artisan studios. This craft is one of the town’s cultural symbols, reflecting creativity, skill, and cultural continuity.

In addition to its historical and artistic heritage, the area offers important natural environments, such as the Santa Gilla Lagoon, a sanctuary for flamingos and other bird species, and the Gutturu Mannu Regional Natural Park, with forests and trails immersed in greenery. In this context of close connection to the land, the preservation of local agricultural biodiversity is also highly valued. In Assemini, Maria Carmela Deidda serves as custodian of the Camusina pear of Vallermosa and the Figu Niedda de Chia fig, traditional varieties that represent a precious agricultural heritage and help maintain the rural identity of the territory.

Dorgali is a charming town in central-eastern Sardinia, nestled between the mountains of the Supramonte and the clear waters of the Gulf of Orosei. Its territory, one of the largest and most diverse on the island, contains a natural heritage of extraordinary beauty, featuring limestone plateaus, deep canyons, karst caves, forests, and some of the most spectacular coasts in the Mediterranean.

The town maintains a strong cultural identity, visible in its folk traditions, costumes, and local crafts. Woodworking, leatherworking, and carpet-making reflect ancient knowledge passed down through generations. The historic center, with its stone houses, inner courtyards, and notable churches such as Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, tells the story of a community deeply connected to its roots.

From the municipal territory, visitors can reach iconic sites such as the Gorropu Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, and inland caves, while the coastline reveals stunning spots like Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, and Cala Cartoe, characterized by white cliffs and turquoise waters. The area is ideal for hiking, caving, climbing, and outdoor activities, where nature and adventure coexist in perfect harmony.

In this context of deep connection to the land, the preservation of agricultural biodiversity plays a fundamental role. In Dorgali, key custodians safeguard traditional varieties: Maria Salvatorina Ignazia Patteri preserves numerous fruit varieties, including the Appiu Apple, Miali Apple, Trempa Orrùbia Apple, Pira Bau Pear, and the various Camusina Pears of Bonarcado, Sassari, and Vallermosa; Cristina Lai is the guardian of the Ogliastrina Olive. Thanks to their dedication, this valuable agricultural heritage continues to be protected and passed on, helping to maintain the rural and cultural identity of Dorgali.