Attractions and Places To See around Gelisuli/Girasole - Top 20

It overlooks the Gulf of Arbatax, a short distance from the Rocce Rosse, facing an extraordinarily clear sea with iridescent reflections, surrounded by fascinating landscapes. Ponente Beach, on the Tortolì coast, extends from the port of Arbatax for about a kilometer and a half, to the canal connecting the Tortolì lagoon and the sea. A pine forest lines the beach for its entire length and separates it from the parallel Baccàsara canal behind it. The beach is divided into two sections by the canal's outlet to the sea: the section adjacent to the port is smaller, crescent-shaped, with very light sand, also known as the "riva di ponente" (west shore); in the wider section, the sand takes on a characteristic ochre color and is mixed with pebbles and shells; this stretch is known as La Capannina. The sea has iridescent hues, from green to turquoise, with a sandy seabed. For several years running, it has been awarded the Blue Flag as one of the best Italian beaches.

Walking along the coast of Santa Maria Navarrese (Baunei district) you can come across the Spanish Tower, a silent witness to history that has watched over the fate of the inhabitants of the central east coast of Sardinia for over five hundred years

The Spanish tower of Santa Maria Navarrese is a clear testimony to the problem of Saracen pirate incursions, which often hit the coastal area between Villaputzu and Arbatax. The tower was built around 1591, when as many as 40 towers existed along the Sardinian coast (today there are just over 100). The tower is in direct visual connection with that of Arbatax, a logistical solution that allowed the service garrisons in the two buildings to control the entire gulf. From here the view of the gulf is beautiful.

...spread over three levels. On the ground floor, a door gives access to a large hall, while the first and second floors can be reached via an external staircase that ends in front of the first floor entrance door. A narrow ladder on the wall leads to the second floor; Another staircase leads to the terrace. In the 1960s the tower was used as an office and was used by the financial police for a long time. Since the 1980s, the tower has again been under the control of the municipality of Baunei, thanks in part to a kind of popular uprising. Source: turismobaunei.eu automatically translated

...there were about forty towers. The tower was built on the small promontory that separates the central beach from that of San Giovanni and is in direct visual connection with that of Arbatax. A logistical solution that allowed the garrisons on duty in the two buildings to control the entire Gulf. According to documents from the Royal Administration of the Towers, these two were among those armed with cannons. The soldiers on duty at the coastal towers were required to be on alert day and night, as stipulated in a “Balance of the Management of the Towers” dated January 29, 1798, which recommended that the terrace be kept operational at all times. small wood to be able to carry out in the event of a sighting, In 1833, Angius found the tower of S. Maria Navarrese still armed and “guarded by an Alkaide with an artilleryman and some soldiers.” The truncated cone-shaped tower has a domed vault with pillars and...

THE “SPANISH TOWER” The Spanish Tower of S. Maria Navarrese is clear evidence that the problem of the incursions of Saracen pirates, who often plagued the stretch of coast between Villaputzu and Arbatax, was also felt in this area. Today there are 93 coastal towers along the Sardinian coast: the first were built during the time of Charles V (1516-1556) in the middle of the 16th century, but it was only under his successor Philip II (1556-1598) that the defense system was created institutionalized with the creation of a special “Royal Administration of the Towers” in 1581, which, in addition to overseeing the planning and construction of new towers, also had to manage in detail the costs and repairs of existing towers. The Spanish Tower of S. Maria, strangely known by the name “Saracen Tower” although it was built to combat piracy, according to historians, it was built around 1591, when it was all along the Sardinian coast....

The sand is ocher and mixed grains with shell remains, the seabed is sandy and shallow therefore making it ideal for families with children, while the waters take on all shades of blue. An enchanting and peaceful place, ideal for lovers of silence. Behind it we find the pond and the pine forest, while to the side is the port of Arbatax.

Between the 16th and 17th centuries, three watch and defense towers were built in Arbatax to protect the area from pirate raids. The Tower of San Gemiliano, built in 1587, is one of these. It was originally known as "Taratasciar" in Arabic, which means thirteenth tower. In the 17th century it was called Torre di Zacurru and only in 1767 did it acquire its current name. It is possible to climb two ladders to reach the top of the tower and enjoy the view of the gulf. The walk up to the tower is short and easy.