Cossu almond

Alghero, the fifth-largest city in Sardinia with around 44,000 inhabitants, is one of the main gateways to the island thanks to Fertilia Airport. Overlooking the intensely colored sea, it charms visitors with its historic center surrounded by bastions, red rooftops, and panoramic seaside promenades. The coastline, about 90 km long and known as the Riviera del Corallo, hosts the most important colony of precious coral in the Mediterranean and beautiful beaches such as Le Bombarde, Lazzaretto, Mugoni, Lido di San Giovanni, and the Maria Pia dunes. Much of the coast is part of the Capo Caccia – Isola Piana Marine Protected Area, home to the famous Neptune’s Grotto.

The surrounding territory is enriched by the Porto Conte Park, an oasis of Mediterranean scrub, forests, and lagoons, as well as numerous archaeological sites, including domus de janas, necropolises, and nuraghi. The historic center retains a strong Catalan imprint, visible in its walls and religious buildings, such as Santa Maria Cathedral and the churches of San Michele and del Carmelo. The city is also a vibrant cultural hub, with sites like Casa Manno, the Coral Museum, and cherished traditions including the Catalan New Year and Holy Week rituals.

Alghero is home to important custodians of local agricultural and livestock biodiversity: Angelo Murineddu, custodian of the Sardinian pig, and Monica Carboni, who preserves various traditional varieties such as the Arrubia almond, Appiu apple, Faita Brent’e Monza bean, Cossu almond, Camusina pear of Sassari, Niedda almond, Pompìa citrus, and Seba Mitja Vermella onion, contributing to the safeguarding of a precious heritage that defines the identity of the territory.

Arzachena is a town in Gallura, located about 25 kilometers from Olbia, characterized by a vast and varied territory that alternates between stunning beaches, vineyard-covered hills, striking granite landscapes, and significant archaeological sites. It has around 14,000 residents in the winter months, but an equivalent number of beds, reflecting its strong tourism vocation and steady demographic and economic growth.

The name Arzachena is closely linked to the Costa Smeralda, a symbol of elite tourism that emerged in the 1960s and became internationally renowned. Alongside luxury tourism, the local economy also relies on nautical activities, granite extraction—a distinctive element of the historic center’s architecture—and a solid wine tradition, particularly the production of Vermentino di Gallura.

From the small nucleus that grew around the Church of Santa Maria until the 17th century, the urban center has evolved into a harmonious combination of squares, pink granite and limestone facades, flowered corners, and green spaces animated by artisan workshops, boutiques, and local cafés. The municipal territory also includes historic Gallurese stazzi, often converted into agritourisms and B&Bs, and numerous hamlets such as Abbiadori, Baja Sardinia, Cannigione, Poltu Quatu, and Porto Cervo.

Within this rich and dynamic context, the protection of local biodiversity plays a key role. In Arzachena, several custodians safeguard traditional animal breeds and agricultural varieties: Santino Filippeddu, custodian of the Arrubia almond and Cossu; Santino Filippeddu also oversees the Sardo-Modicana cow, Sardinian donkey, and Sardinian pig; Luca Piasotti, protecting the Sardo-Modicana and Sardo-Bruna cows; Caterina Marchetti, custodian of the Sardinian donkey and the Asinara donkey; Pasqua Abeltino, safeguarding the Giara horse and Sardinian donkey; and Fabiola Pusceddu, custodian of the Sardinian pig. Thanks to their efforts, this invaluable heritage continues to be preserved and enhanced, maintaining Arzachena’s identity and cultural legacy.