Porto Torres
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Porto Torres | |
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 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Province | Province of Sassari (SS) |
| Area | 102.62 km² (40 sq mi) |
| Population (as of Dec. 2004) | |
| - Total | 21,064 |
| - Density | 205/km² (531/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | turritani |
| Dialing code | 079 |
| Postal code | 07046 |
| Patron | San Gavino |
Porto Torres (Latin: Turris Libyssonis, Turris Libissonis, or Turris Libisonis; Greek: Πύργος Λιβύσσωνος – Pyrgos Libyssonos; Sassarese: Pòltu Tòrra; Sardinian: Pòrtu Tòrres), is a comune and city in northern Sardinia, in the Province of Sassari), it has an area of 102.62 km² and a population of 21,064.[1]
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[edit] History
In ancient times, Turris Libyssonis was one of the most considerable cities in Sardinia. It is situated on the north coast about 25 km east of the Gorditanian promontory (Capo del Falcone), and on the spacious bay now called Golfo dell'Asinara. It was probably of purely Roman origin, founded apparently by Julius Caesar, as it bears the title Colonia Julia. Pliny tells us it was a colony, the only on the island in his time, and we may probably infer from its name that there was previously no town on the spot, but merely a fort or castellum. (Plin. iii. 12. s. 17.) It is noticed also by Ptolemy and in the Itineraries, but without any indication that it was a place of any importance. (Ptol. iii. 3. § 5; Itin. Ant. p. 83.) But the ancient remains still existing prove that it must have been a considerable town under the Roman Empire; and we learn from the inscriptions on ancient milestones that the principal road through the island ran directly from Caralis (Cagliari) to Turris, a sufficient proof that the latter was a place much frequented. Indeed, two roads, which diverged at Othoca (modern Santa Giusta) connected Caralis to Turris, the more important keeping inland and the other following the west coast. It was also an episcopal see during the early part of the Middle Ages. The existing port at Porto Torres, which is almost wholly artificial, is based in great part on Roman foundations; and there exist also the remains of a temple (which, as we learn from an inscription, was dedicated to Fortune, and restored in the reign of Philip), of thermae, of a basilica and an aqueduct, as well as a bridge over the adjoining small river, still called the Fiume Turritano. The ancient city continued to be inhabited till the 11th century, when the greater part of the population migrated to Sassari, about 15 km inland, and situated on a hill. (De la Marmora, Voy. en Sardaigne, vol. ii. pp. 363,468-72; Smyth's Sardinia, pp. 263-66.)
[edit] Sights
The 11th-century, three-naved Cathedral of San Gavino, which was built using only precious hardstones like marble, porphyry and granite, is the largest Romanesque church in Sardinia. Instead of the usual western facade and eastern apse, the cathedral sports two apses. The crypt holds several Roman sarcophagi.
[edit] Communications and Industry
The port is connected by ferries with Genoa and Marseille, Expressway SS131/E25 to Sassari and Cagliari, and a national road to Santa Teresa Gallura (SS200).
Chemical industries support the modern economy of Porto Torres.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography by William Smith (1856).
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
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