Daniele Puddu
The true Sardinia
When many people think of Sardinia, they think of billionaire socialites stuffing themselves on their yachts moored in the wharfs of the glamorous Costsa Smeralda. This, though, is not the true Sardinia or at least not the Sardinia I want to talk about. The real Sardinia is much more…it’s a Sardinia that’s harder to find, far away from the yachts and restaurants of the harbors. The place I’d like to talk about is Giara. It’s about an hour’s drive north of Cagliari near the villages of Gesturi Tuili, Setzu, and Genoni. It’s a mesa about 45 square kilometers large and once served as a refuge for the inhabitants of the Nuraghes.
These days, it’s a refuge for Europe’s last remaining wild horses. For me, it’s an absolutely beautiful place where you can forget about everyday life. The combination of silence, nature, and the beautiful wild mustangs makes for a truly unforgettable experience. There are several ways to explore the Giara depending on your fitness level. Firstly, you can drive along the dirt roads leaving from Gesturi. Or, you can walk but you’ll only be able to see a small area of the Giara near where you park your car. The third option, and my personal favorite, is to explore the entire area on a mountain bike. When I went, I parked in Gesturi and climbed the steep hill until I reached the great plain of Sa Jara and then just wandered aimlessly on my bike. My whole goal was to see the wild horses, take some photos, and relax. Finding the horses is not at all difficult. All you have to do is go to the bodies of water (paulis) where they drink and you’ll find groups of females and ponies searching for food and long-haired males ensuring the safety of the herd. If you’re a nature lover, it’s perfect.
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