2016-05-30 Porto Mannu, Stintino to Castelsardo, Sardinia

 

We wake up to a bright sunny day in the port of Stintino
We wake up to a bright sunny day in the town of Stintino in Porto Mannu
We make our departure from this lovely little town to continue along the northern coast
We make our departure from this lovely little town to continue along the northern coast
On the western side of the town is Marina di Stintino which is an alternative option for a berth
On the western side of the town is Marina di Stintino which is an alternative option for a berth
On the eastern side of the town is Porto Minore which is for the local fishing boats
On the eastern side of the town is Porto Minore which is for the local fishing boats
A reasonably new holiday development has views to both sides of the narrow north west point of the island
We pass a reasonably new holiday development which has views to both sides of the narrow north west point of Sardinia
In delightful conditions we continue along the coast east past the large commercial Porto Torres
In delightful conditions we continue along the coast, east past the large commercial port of Porto Torres
After a couple of hours of motoring in the far distance we see the castle town of Castelsardo
After a couple of hours of motoring, in the far distance we see the castle town of Castelsardo
Approaching the picturesque town with the castle on the hill
Approaching the picturesque town with the medieval castle on the hill
We decide to check out the bay behind the the amazing castle
We motor past the town to check out the bay behind the the amazing castle
The castle on top of the hill on the rocky promontory certain has a domineering position over the small town
The castle on top of the hill on the rocky promontory certain has a domineering position over the small town
On the other side of the hill is a spectacular walled part of the town
On the other side of the hill is a spectacular walled town with an ensemble of narrow alleyways and medieval buildings
We return to the west side of Castelsardo and enter the marina with it's conspicuous tower by the entrance
We return to the west side of Castelsardo and enter the marina with it’s conspicuous tower by the entrance
Tangaroa nicely secure in Castelsardo marina as we set off on our bikes to explore the town
Tangaroa nicely secure in Castelsardo marina as we set off on our bikes to explore the town

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We cycle along the long walkway between the marina and the small town
We cycle along the long walkway between the marina and the small town
Thank goodness we chose to take our electric bikes as the road to the castle was long and quite steep
Thank goodness we chose to take our electric bikes as the road to the castle was very long and quite steep

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The view west to the marina from below the castle
The view west to the marina from below the castle walls
Looking east to the bay behind the castle
Looking east to the bay behind the castle

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Icecream in hand, Ric in theentrance to the castle
Icecream in hand, Ric at the entrance to the castle
Once inside we were invited to view an exhibition of some amazing colourful Sardinia's ceramics
Once inside we were invited to view an exhibition of some amazing colourful Sardinian made and designed modern ceramics
Great views over Castelsardo
Great views over Castelsardo
We can see the Tangaroa in the marina from the top of the castle
We can just see the Tangaroa in the marina from the top of the castle
Us on the castle in Castelsardo
Us on the medieval castle in Castelsardo
Looking north
Looking north
The belltower of the Cattedrale di Sant'Antonio Abate with it's brightly tiled cupola
The belltower of the Cattedrale di Sant’Antonio Abate with it’s brightly tiled cupola made from polychrome majolica tiles dating back to the 1600’s
Panoramic views from the castle
Outstanding panoramic views from the castle
Me in the castle walls
Me in the well preserved castle walls
Ric resting by the wishing well
Ric resting by the wishing well
Castelsardo is famous for basket weaving which has a display in the small Museo dell'Intreccio dell Mediterraneo in the castle
Castelsardo is famous for basket weaving which has a large display in the small Museo dell’Intreccio dell Mediterraneo in the castle
Maria, who has a shop in the castle walls, showing me her expert skills in basket weaving
Maria, who has a shop in the castle walls, showing me her expert skills in basket weaving
One of the many narrow dark stepped alleyways of the centro storico
One of the many narrow dark stepped alleyways of the centro storico
The castle is built on a solid high grey rock peak overlooking the sea
The castle is built on a solid high grey rock peak overlooking the sea
The landmark belltower by the Cattedrale, which was originally designed to be a lighthouse
The landmark belltower by the Cattedrale, which was originally designed to be a lighthouse
Cattedrale di Sant'Antonio Abate with it's wonderful panoramic terrace
Cattedrale di Sant’Antonio Abate with it’s wonderful panoramic terrace
The Cattedrale was built on the remains of a Romanesque church and was consecrated in 1503
The Cattedrale was built on the remains of a Romanesque church and was consecrated in 1503
The solid rock promontory over which the castle is built
The solid rock promontory over which the castle is built
After our sightseeing adventure to the town of Castlesardo and the medieval castle with it's centro storico we slowly cycle back to the marina
After our sightseeing adventure to the town of Castlesardo and the towering medieval castle with it’s centro storico, we slowly cycle back to the marina

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