The origins of civilization in Sardinia date back to ancient times. The first inhabitants arrived by crossing a land bridge between 450,000 and 150,000 years ago. Over the centuries, various cultures inhabited the island until the Nuragic civilization of shepherd-kings emerged, leaving behind many archaeological treasures. Of the roughly 7,000 nuraghes built in Sardinia, some have survived in excellent condition, such as the complexes of Barumini, Santu Antine, and Nuraghe Losa.
Around 1,000 BCE, the Phoenicians arrived on Sardinian shores, establishing settlements like Tharros, Nora, Bithia, and Cagliari. Later, after the Punic Wars, the Romans took control of the island, ruling for about 700 years and leaving significant traces of their presence. However, with the fall of the Roman Empire, Sardinia once again became a contested land, with Vandals, Byzantines, and Arabs vying for control.
In the Middle Ages, the maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa dominated Sardinian waters. During this time, Romanesque architecture flourished, later evolving into Gothic following the Aragonese conquest. Sardinia remained under Spanish rule for about 400 years before being ceded to Austria in 1718, eventually passing to the House of Savoy. The Kingdom of Sardinia lasted until the Italian unification.
It was only after World War II, with the reclamation of marshes and coastal wetlands, that a new phase of development began, marking the start of modern tourism and the Sardinia we know today.