Natural Area of Trinità d'Agultu and Vignola
The territory of Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola extends over an area of 136.43 km² and offers visitors a spectacular environmental heritage.
It boasts about 42 km of red and rugged coastline that alternates between vast shores, characterized by spontaneous and unspoiled nature, and beautiful white sand beaches with crystal-clear sea. Furthermore, a few years ago, a stretch of coast extending for about 20 km was classified by the European Union as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) Isola Rossa, which later became a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) From Capo Testa to Isola Rossa.
The Trinità hinterland is certainly no less impressive, with its rural and wild charm, preserving numerous and important testimonies of human presence in the area since ancient times. Examples include the Domus de Janas, locally called Conca di Li Fati (lit. House of the Fairies), one of the typical prehistoric tombs carved into the rock of Pre-Nuragic Sardinia; The Nuraghe Bastianazzu, a Bronze Age monument; the 16th-century Tower of Isola Rossa, a legacy of Spanish domination. And also, the ancient church of Ss. Trinità, which houses the statues of Saint Ursula and Saint Barbara from the ruins of two medieval churches; as well as numerous rural sanctuaries scattered throughout the countryside of Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola, symbols of the centuries-old devotion and religiosity of the people of the stazzi (traditional Sardinian farmhouses), offering visitors the opportunity to discover the natural beauty of the rural landscape.
From the need to present and represent all that the territory has to offer, Costa Rossa Sardegna was born, a tourism promotion brand of the Municipality of Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola.
The coastal Tower of Isola Rossa takes its name from the small seaside village where it is located, in the territory of Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola.
It was built at the end of the 16th century to defend the coast from incursions by Saracen pirates and Barbary corsairs. During the Savoy and Austrian domination, it served to limit smuggling between Sardinia and Corsica. Over the centuries, it was also witness to some important historical events.
The Tower is easily accessible on foot through a path from Via Marinedda; although it can only be visited from the outside, it is highly attractive to visitors due to its imposing presence.
Mount La Frisaia, located at 422.4 m above sea level, overlooks and protects the inhabited center of Trinità d’Agultu.
It is a site of considerable interest due to numerous artifacts found there which, when examined by experts, were found to belong to three different eras: ceramic and lithic fragments from the Nuragic period and various types of terracotta shards dating back to the Roman and medieval periods.
These artifacts would testify that the hill was steadily frequented for at least two thousand consecutive years, probably until the mid-14th century, when the great Black Plague depopulated the villages of Gallura.
Over time, this height has been a destination for walks and games, especially for children of past generations.
In November and December 1948, Mr. Cau and Mr. Grillo from the Casa di Sassari came to Trinità d’Agultu to preach the traditional Popular Missions, which were extraordinary preaching courses instituted by Saint Vincent de Paul (✝1660), aimed at galvanizing the Christianity of the faithful in a particular parish. The two missionaries also preached in Paduledda, La Scalitta, and San Michele, and were very successful as they managed to bring 120 men to the Sacraments. A wooden cross was erected on the mountain in memory of the Mission.
The name of the mountain has given the title to the periodical magazine La Frisaia, first published in April 1987, which arose from the desire of Don Gianni Sini, the parish priest of Trinità at the time, to publish a local newspaper that would report, in addition to religious events, the history, habits, and culture of the area. The magazine is still published today and over the years, both professional journalists and amateur authors, along with school children, have alternately contributed to it.
On the occasion of the centenary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, the statue of the Madonna was commissioned and placed on Mount Santa Barbara on March 20, 1955, to protect the village. That day was a wonderful celebration and the entire community took part in the solemn procession of the statue, carried by the parish priest Don Derosas on an ox-drawn cart decorated for the occasion and accompanied by many other carts transporting women and children up the steep climb. Later, the municipal administration equipped the statue with lighting to make it visible at night as well.
In 1996, a committee of volunteers was formed to raise the funds needed to purchase a new statue to replace the original one, which had deteriorated over time. An important contribution also came from the painting teacher Reza Kaveh, who donated a large portion of the proceeds from the sale of his paintings exhibited in the village’s community center.
The current white marble statue, 1.80 meters tall, created by sculptor Dino Felici (✽1931 – ✝2002) from Carrara, was placed on the summit of the mountain and blessed with great celebration for the entire population in the last days of May 1997.
The presence of the Virgin has always been particularly felt by the community and still represents one of the symbols of Trinità d’Agultu today.
Over the years, it has been the destination of easy excursions for many children as well as numerous visitors. The point where it is located, in fact, offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire inhabited center and a wide stretch of coastline.
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