Itinerary Details
Coastal Tower Trail
The Union of the Municipalities Nora-Bithia boasts a unique architectural heritage: dozens of towers from the Spanish and Savoy periods (around 1500-1700 A.D.) located along the coast.
The coastal trail that runs for about 40 km in a north-east/south-west direction is a great way to admire the towers, while taking a beautiful walking trip that can last several days. The route starts in the territory of Sarroch, crosses Pula and Domus de Maria and finally ends in Teulada.
The first tower along the trail is the Torre del Diavolo (Devil's Tower) near Sarroch, only a short drive from Cagliari. From here, walking some further 10 km near the sea leads you to the Torre del Coltellazzo. This is located on a picturesque promontory a few steps from the archaeological site of Nora.
The next stop is the Torre di Cala d'Ostia, also in the municipality of Pula, which overlooks the sea another 8 km further down the coast in a south-westerly direction. From here, the trail intercepts the Roman coastal road at Pinus Village and a further 8 km takes you to the Torre di Chia. This fortress stands on a high promontory, only metres from Bithia, an archaeological site only recently brought to light.
A few kilometres further, in the local district of Teulada, the trail takes you to five more coastal towers: Capo Malfatano; Piscinnì (Domus de Maria); Torre del Budello; Portoscudo and Cala Piombo. This amazing “cultural pilgrimage” not only offers wonderful landscapes and panoramic sweeps of the south-western coast, but it also enables you to appreciate some of the most representative buildings on the Spanish rule in Sardinia.
Round-Trip Duration:
40 km
Estimated Duration:
several days
Map
Multimedia
Discover the Attractions
Torre del Diavolo
The Torre del Diavolo (Devil's Tower), also known as 'Turri e su Scolliu' and in the past as 'Sa Torritta', is a watchtower on a promontory between Punta Zavorra and the ancient landing place of Porto Columbu, in the south-eastern area of Sarroch territory.
Tower of St Efis or of the Coltellazzo
The tower is located on the Coltellazzo promontory, a short distance from the ruins of the city of Nora.
Tower of Cala d'Ostia
Located in the southwestern part of the Pula area, the tower was built during the Savoy era, in 1774.
Tower of Chia
The Tower of Chia stands at the top of a promontory between the beaches of Su Portu and Sa Colonia, where the Punic-Roman city of Bithia once rose.
Tower of Capo Malfatano
Located on the Capo Malfatano promontory and clearly visible from the coastal road leading to the port of Teulada.
Tower and monumental remains of ancient quarries at Pixinnì
On the coastal stretch of the Municipality of Domus de Maria, on a promontory between Capo Malfatano and Tuerredda, stands the Tower of Piscinnì (or Pixinnì).
Tower of Budello
The tower of Budello is located at the mouth of the port of Teulada. Designed for Cagliari entrepreneur Pietro Porta, Work on its construction began in 1601 and was probably completed in 1604.