Porto Torres

Population: 22,000
Altitude: 17m. above sea level

The town of Porto Torres stands on the coast of the Gulf of Asinara, about 20 km north west of Sassari. The town's busy harbour, almost entirely artificial, lies to the right of the mouth of the River Mannu. Porto Torres was founded by a group of Roman citizens in the I century A.C. and was given the name 'Turris Libisonys'.

The settlement developed rapidly and became an important trading centre and port, in particular for goods bound for the port of Ostia, and later, under the reign of the Flavio Emperors, it became a Roman Municipium. The town boasted thermal baths, an aqueduct, temples, basilicas and magnificent villas, and was connected to other setlements in Sardinia by consular roads.

When the Roman Empire collapsed the town was subjected to the invasions of the Vandals and fell into rapid decline. It experienced a period of growth later, in the XI century, as a result of an increase in trade with the Maritime Republics of Pisa and Genoa, which were to have an important influence on the town for a long time to come. The town became known as 'Porto Torres' and, with its castle and impressive defence walls, became the chief town of the "Giudicato", or district, known as Torres, and enjoyed a period of great prosperity. It was during this period that the monastic influence led to rapid developments in agriculture, as well as the construction of the most beautiful Romanesque cathedrals in the area.

At the end of the rule of the "Giudicato", Porto Torres passed into the hands of the Genoese family, Doria, who sought to fortify the city. However, the successive wars with the Aragonese and the threat of the barbarian invasions determined another period of decline for the town.

• The Harbour. The harbour of Porto Torres is the largest in northern Sardinia and connects the island with the north of Italy. It is made up of three docking bays: the central wharf is the largest and is used for the ferries which run between Sardinia and Genoa; the other two are reserved for commercial traffic. However, in addition, there is a small dock for pleasure boats
  
  
• Turris Libisonys. Turris Libisonys is the original name of the Roman settlement. Testimony to this ancient history can be seen in the remains of the monuments from the complex known as "Palazzo del Re Barbaro", (The Palace of the Barbarian King), and its "Terme Centrali" (Central Baths), which lie on the hill overlooking via Ponte Romano, near the railway station.
  
  
• The Basilica of S. Gavino. This is one of the most important Romaneque monuments on the island and one of the few Italian churches with opposing apses. It was built during the influx of Pisan style architecture, in the second half of the XI century. At the beginning of the XII century the front part was extended by knocking down the original facade and building a new apse in a style which was characteristic of Lombardy at the time. The interior is divided up by columns and pillars with capitals, and visitors can admire a fascinating Byzantine tomb in limestone from the VII and VIII centuries.
  
  
• The Necropolis of Su Crucifissu Mannu. This necropolis lies a short distance to the south east of Porto Torres and is made up of more than twenty burial chambers dug into the rock. Important remains associated with the funeral rites have been discovered there dating back to late the Neolithic and Bronze age.