The Italian island of Sardinia, Sardegna to locals, is often an afterthought, with the much more well-known island of Sicily getting most of the attention from travel blogs and on social media (guilty as charged!). However, as well as being full of interesting cities, stunning beaches and delicious food, the fascinating history of Sardinia makes this island a wonderful place to explore.

Join us as we explore Sardinia’s history and give you plenty of reasons to plan an adventure to this incredible island.

The early history of Sardinia

Sardinia history starts extremely early, with evidence of humans living on the island from the Stone Age onwards. The slopes of Mount Arci were a major source of obsidian for these early people, a volcanic glass that can be worked to form tools and arrowheads. These items were then traded all over the Mediterranean, which helped in the development of a distinct society.

Through the Neolithic period native tribes developed various cultures, leaving behind evidence of temples, tombs and daily life all over Sardinia. They traded with early Greeks and other Mediterranean people, with impressive pottery and building techniques coming into focus as the Bronze Age started.

The Nuragic civilization

It was during the Bronze Age that the distinctive Nuragic people came to prominence. They were given their name because of the unusual towers called ‘nuraghe’ that they built. These large structures were built from blocks of basalt stone and are thought to have been used as homes.

Incredibly, some of them still stand today. Seeing the Nuragic towers up close is a really special experience and a vivid insight into the long history of Sardinia.

The Nuragic civilization flourished on Sardinia for hundreds of years, making good use of the resources on the island and trading with other early civilizations. As well as the nuraghi structures, the Nuragic people also built villages and temples, and produced a large number of distinctive bronze statues.

While the Nuragic civilization was growing in size and importance, another important civilization was doing the same – the Phoenicians. Their interest in Sardinia would drastically shape the island’s future.

The Phoenicians and Carthage

The Phoenicians were from an area in modern day Lebanon, but quickly spread all over the Mediterranean. Talented sailors and traders, the Phoenician shippers brought new goods, manufacturing techniques and other ideas with them wherever they went, creating connections from Egypt to Greece and beyond.

They first came to Sardinia around the 9th century BC. The Phoenicians and their goods were welcomed by the local people and with Sardinia’s central location the island became hugely important in Mediterranean trade.

The Phoenicians founded many settlements in Sardinia, including at Tharros, Karaly (modern day Cagliari), Nora and Sulci on the island of Sant’Antioco. Fun fact, the earliest written reference to ‘Sardinia’ dates from this time period, on an inscribed stone found in Nora in 1773 with the Phoenician version of the name.

As well as the many cities in Sardinia, the Phoenicians also founded other settlements and trading posts to help further their reach. One of the most famous was established in north Africa on the coast of modern day Tunisia; Carthage.

Originally just another Phoenician colony, Carthage soon grew to be powerful in its own right. By the end of the 7th century BC, the Carthaginians were taking over land and trade routes. Sardinia was no exception, and by 500 BC Carthage controlled large parts of the island.

Sardinia during the Roman period

Carthage’s actions brought them into direct conflict with the ancient Roman republic. In Rome’s early days its influence only extended to Italy, but the wars with Carthage would change everything. The First Punic war lasted from 264-241 BC, and during this time Sardinia became a key location for battles and the struggle for supremacy.

Carthage lost to Rome and conceded Sardinia to the republic. Together with nearby Corsica, Sardinia became a Roman province and was subject to Rome’s rules. The local people were initially unhappy with this, but over time they mostly accepted Roman domination. Those who did not accept this were forced into the mountainous inner region of the island where their influence could be minimized. Latin was introduced, which would form the basis for the modern Sardinian language, along with the Roman gods and later, Christianity.

Sardinian history during the time of Rome was relatively stable, outside of the regular local revolts. Roman civic rights were introduced in places, roads were built and in the coastal cities at least, trade went on as usual. The only difference was that the island was subject to the wishes of the Roman senate and then later, the emperors.

Sardinia’s history after the fall of Rome

In the 5th century AD, the Roman empire was in trouble. A series of successive threats, both internal and external, had left the western part of the empire teetering on the edge of destruction. One of these threats was the Vandals, a Germanic tribe who had been forced west by attacks from the Huns.

The Vandal conquest of Sardinia

The Vandals took advantage of the weak Roman position and seized control of the Roman provinces in north Africa, Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia.

Sardinia was first attacked in 456 but it wasn’t until the 480’s that the Vandals fully had control of the island. By this time the western Roman empire had disintegrated entirely, and even though there was still the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) empire in the east, they could not stop the western empire from being conquered.

The Vandals did not cause much to change in Sardinia however, allowing its people to keep their land (after paying a tax of course!) and keep practising their Christian religion.

Byzantine rule

The eastern Byzantine empire had continued the traditions of ancient Rome, and had consolidated enough by the 500’s to start reconquering land that was once part of the western empire.

Under Byzantine emperor Justinian in 533-534, Sardinia was once again claimed as Roman. It was officially one of seven provinces of Africa (for the purposes of management) but the distance from the Byzantine capital of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) meant Sardinia was not an important part of the empire.

Both Vandal and Byzantine rule were relatively hands-off. When Arab raiders started to reach the Sardinian coast in the 8th and 9th centuries, Sardinian ambassadors were sent not to the Byzantine court but to the much closer French kingdom to ask for help.

Later the island was split into four areas, each managed by a Judicate. These four Sardinian Giudicati (the name is related to ‘judge’) ruled their own area and were important enough to be in correspondence with other European powers and the Papacy, separate from any Byzantine oversight.

Sardinia developed closer relations with city states in Italy, particularly the maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa. The republics helped Sardinia defend itself from various raids and invasion attempts, but then became conquerors themselves, splitting the island in two.

The Kingdom of Sardinia

The extremely disruptive years in Europe during the Medieval period were marked by a constant struggle for land and power. Sardinia was not able to escape this despite their attempts at self-rule. In 1297 the current Pope invented a kingdom of Sardinia and Corsica that he intended to reward a loyal king with.

James II of Aragon (part of modern day Spain) was given Papal permission to take control of Sardinia but this was easier said than done. The people of Sardinia were not happy by the prospect of foreign rule and even though James II claimed the title of king of Sardinia in 1324, it would be almost a century before the entirety of the island was united under one banner in 1420.

The Kingdom of Sardinia remained under Aragonese rule, which had a profound influence on the island and its people. The Spanish language and culture were brought to Sardinia, but so were the rigid Spanish institutions. Far more than ever before in Sardinia’s history, their rulers were suddenly much more strict and present. Previously Sardinians had largely been left alone, but now they were forced to follow the customs of a foreign power.

Foreign rule and unification with Italy

There was a period of relative stability when the Sardinians got used to Spanish domination. The discovery of the Americas meant that the resources in Sardinia that were once so attractive were no longer important. Sardinia fell into a period of decline, becoming a minor territory in a large empire.

Sardinia begins to become part of Italy

This all changed in the 1700’s. The Spanish king Charles II died in 1700 with no heir, and the rival claimants to the throne could not come to a peaceful agreement. Divided in two, most of western Europe was involved in the subsequent war. There was a French heir, supported by France, most of Spain, some German kingdoms and the Duchy of Savoy in northern Italy. The other heir was Austrian, supported by the British, the Dutch and of course Austria.

After many years of fighting the war ended in 1714 and the landscape of Europe looked very different. Spanish territory was divided up between the various European powers and the dukes of Savoy ended up with Sardinia.

Savoy rule was not popular. There were many rebellions due to their dismissive attitude and failure to recognize Sardinia’s unique culture and history. Laws were passed that erased thousands of years of tradition, with native Sardinians suffering heavily under the imported nobility from the Savoy lands.

The final years of Sardinia being separate from Italy came to an end in 1847 when a law was passed that ended the differences in administration between Sardinia and the Italian mainland. It was not long before Sardinia, as part of the Savoy lands, became part of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

20th Century Sardinia

Italian rule led to many changes for Sardinia. Roads, railways and the first ferry connection between Sardinia and the mainland were established, as well as modern plumbing and sewers being built. However, the people of Sardinia still felt forgotten and disconnected from the rest of the new country.

Sardinia was always separate, with a distinct language and culture, and many people wanted to return to this separation. Following World War I the Sardinian Action Party was formed to advocate for removal from Italian rule, but the rise of the Fascists and start of World War II interrupted their work.

Sardinia today

Following the removal of the Italian monarchy in 1946 and the creation of the Italian republic, Sardinians began to once again push for independence. It was awarded the status of an autonomous region in 1948, but as this still falls under the control of the Italian government, it is still a point of contention for some even today.

It was not until 1999 that the island’s languages, including Sardinian, were recognized and there continues to be a sense that Italian influence should not reach too far.

Today Sardinia relies heavily on tourism, but if you travel just a short distance away from the major tourist destinations you will find a place steeped in history and tradition.

In northeastern Sardinia close to the city of Olbia, the ruins of the prehistoric Giants Tomb sit close to a medieval fortress from the 12th century.

At the archeological museum in Cagliari you can see the breathtaking Mont’e Prama sculptures and bronze statues from the Nuragic period.

Along the Bay of Chia and its crystal clear waters you will discover the ruins of the ancient city of Bithia, so the possibilities are simply endless.

There is something special about the island of Sardinia, and we are excited to have the chance to share this with you.

Would you like to learn more about the history of Sardinia or to see something a little different on your adventures? Get in touch today to find out how you can join us on our next Sardinia tour.