Camusina pear of Sassari

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.

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.