Sardinia

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

SARDINIA. (Book Sardinia) SARDINIA was so named from Sardus the Sonne of Hercules. Timaeus called it Sandaliotin, because it resembleth the shape of a shooe-soale. Mirsilus and Chrysippus called it Icha•sa, because it is like the soale of the foote. Which Manilius intimateth when hee saith.

Sardiniam in Lybico signant vestigia plantae.

It is now called Sardegna. On the East the Tyrrhene Sea doth beate upon it, on the South the Affricke, on the West the Sardian; on the North the Sea that floweth betweene it and Corsica. This Iland hath an ungentle ayre: and therefore Q. F. doth admonish M. Cicero to have a care of his health, and to remember that although hee were now in health, yet hee was in Sardinia: and in his Epistles hee saith that one Tigellius a Sardinian was a man more pestilent and contagious than his Country. All the Iland aboundeth with fruite, Wheate, Wine, Mines of Silver, Cattell, and all things necessary. There are such store of Horses, that many runne wilde, and have no owners; they are lesser than ours, but full of mettall, strong and nimble. It affoordeth much Hunting, so that the Country people doe live onely by it. For this Country hath abundance of Boares, Harts, Does, and another kinde of Beast which they call Muflo, which we have described before in the description of Corsica. But Sardinia hath no Wolves, nor any other harmefull beast, nor Serpent, and therefore Silius saith.

Serpentum tellus pura, ac viduata Veneno,Sed tristis coelo, ac multa vitiata palude. This Country is from poysond Serpents free,But many noysome Marshes in it bee.

But the Soligunda in Sardinia is as offensive and hurtfull as Serpents are in other Countries. It is a little creature like a Spider. L.S. calleth it Solifuga, because it shunneth the day-light. It liveth much in the Silver Mines, for this soyle is very rich in Silver Oare. It creepeth closely along, and if any one sitt upon it unawares, it infecteth him. There is also a strange Sardinian Hearb, which Pausanias saith, is like unto Parsly: which if it bee eaten, it doth contract and draw together the Visage and mouth, so that they dye as it were laughing. Strabo writeth that the Spaniards make poison of it, which being drunke, doth dispatch them without any paine, and hence grew the Proverb Sardonius risus, or the Sardinian laughter. The chiefe Citty of Sardinia is Calaris, commonly called Cagler. It is situate on a Mountaine neere the Sea, looking toward Affrick, and it hath a faire Haven. This Citty is adorned with many priviledges: it createth Con••l•▪ who have power to punish delinquents without authority from the King: and it hath power with the peoples consent to make new lawes. In this Citty the reliuqes of S. Augustine were kept, untill Heliprandus King of the Langbards did translate them to Papia. In this Citty the viceroy of Sardinia resideth, together with many Barons, Earles, and divers rich men. Mela and Pliny doe make mention of the Citty Sulchitana. There are now also the Citties Oristagnum, which is a Metropolitan Citty, situate on a Plaine, not farre from the Sea. It was heretofore called the Country of trees, but now it is called the Marquiship of Oristagnum. There is also the Citty Sassaris which hath a pleasant soyle watered with many Springs, & abounding with divers sorts of fruites, but it is weakely fortified. Algher is a new small Citty, but yet populous and strong, and adorned with many faire aedifices and buildings: the inhabitants whereof are almost all Tarraconians. Sardinia hath also other Citties, and Townes, which for brevitie sake wee omit. It hath many pleasant Rivers which are not deepe, so that in sommer time you may passe over the bards. There are many Magistrates in Sardinia. The chiefe is the Viceroy, who hath al the Kings authority: and according to their ancient lawes none but a Spaniard can beare this office. The King doth assigne and appoint him one assistant, who is Doctor of both Lawes, whom they call there the Regent. Moreover hee hath other Counsellors, who dispose and order all matters, and this Court is called the Kings audience. Heretofore it was a priviledge of the Kingdome that no man could beare this office longer than three yeres, and then another succeedeth in his place. But now one continueth in that office as long as the King pleaseth. Concerning the manners and dispositions of the Sadinians: they are strong of body, and inured to labour, except it be some few who are given to effeminacy and wantonesse. Many of them doe keepe Cattell, and are contented with poore fare and water. Those that dwell in the Townes and Villages, doe live peaceably and quietly together. They love strangers, and doe use them kindly. They live from hand to mouth, and goe in a poore habbit. And which is strange, there is not one Artificer in all the Iland, that can make either Swords, Daggers or other weapons, so that they fetch them out of Spaine and Italy. Mercator mentioneth these Bishops. The Archbishop Claritanensis, under whom are these Bishops, Sulcitanus or Sulciensis, Doliensis, Suellensis. The Archbishop Turitanus, under whome are these Bishops, Sorrensis, Plotanensis, Ampuriensis, Gifacensis, or Girardensis, Castrensis, Othanensis, or Othricensis, Bosanensis, or Bossa. The Archbishop Alborensis, under whom are the Bishops of Vssellensis. S. Iustia, Terra Alba, Civitatensis, and Gastelliensis are excepted.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Island of SARDINIA; or SARDAGNE, is seated not far from Sicily; it is in length about 150 miles, and 90 in breadth; not so fertil as Sicily, yet it abounds in Corn and Cattle, but is deficient in Oil, and other Commodities. It is now subject to the Spaniard, and is divided into two parts, viz. Cape Logodori, and Cape Cagliari; Its chief places are, 1. Cagliari, seated opposite to Africa, having a commodious Haven, which makes it to be well frequented by Merchants. The City is adorned with goodly Buildings, fair Temples, and magnificent Turrets, being the Seat of the Spanish Vice-Roy, as also the See of an Archbishop. 2. Bosa, likewise the See of an Archbishop. 3. Oristagni, and 4. Sassary, both places of good account. Its People are of a mean Stature, are very great Hunters, great Pains-takers, no lovers of the Spaniards, not much addicted to Learning, and in matters of Religion not over strict.

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

The Island of SARDINIA.

SARDINIA lies between the 37 deg. 10 min. and the 39 deg. 50 min. of Latitude; as also between the 31 deg. 10 min. and the 35 deg. 15 min. of Longitude. Insomuch that it is extended from North to South for the space of about 160 miles; 94 from East to West; and 450 in compass. The Air is extremely unhealthy; but the Country, although Mountainous, is very fruitful, affording abundance of Corn, excellent White-wines and Oil. There are also found divers Mines of Silver, Sulphur and Alum, and very great quantities of Salt are made in those Territories. The Forests, in like manner, are full of Deer; and in the Pastures are fed many Herds of Cattle. And indeed, this Island would not be at all inferiour to that of Sicily, in case its Soil were as well cultivated. Pope Boniface VIII. having granted a Permission to the Kings of Arragon, to conquer the same Island, it fell into the Possession of the Spaniards, and it is at present govern'd by a Vice-Roy of the King of Spain. It is usually divided into Two Parts or Provinces, viz. one toward the South, call'd Capo di Cagliari; and the other to the North, nam'd Capo di Lugodori.

• 1. Capo di Cagliari, in which are these Cities, &c. viz.
  • CAGLIARI, Archb. Cap.
  • Oristagni, Archb.
  • Villa d' Iglesia, Bish.
  • ...Monte-Reale.
  • ...Lode.
  • ...Galtello.
  • ...S. Pietro Toralba.
• 2. Capo di Lugodori, in which are these Cities, &c. viz.
  • GASSARI, Archb.
  • Castel-Aragoneie, Bish.
  • Bosa, Bish.
  • Algheri, Bish.
  • ...Sarda.
  • ...Carignano.
  • ...Terra-Nuova.

CAGLIARI, Calaris, or Carallis, the Metropolis of the whole Island, in the Latit. of 37 deg. 25 min. and the Longit. of 32 deg. 30. min. is situated on an Hill on the Southern Coasts thereof, and hath three very large Suburbs, viz. those of Estampache, Villa-Nova, and la Marina, at the distance of 30 Miles from Oristagni to the East; 100 from Tarre, a demolish'd Town, to the South; and about 130 from the nearest Coasts of Africa. It is the usual Place of Residence of the Vice-Roy, and of the Noblemen of the Isle, and the See of an Archbishop; being adorn'd with an University, a Castle, and a capacious Harbour on the Bay of the same name. This City was ruin'd by the Arabians, and re-built by the Inhabitants of Pisa. It was taken by James II. King of Aragon, A. D. 1330. and hath ever since been subject to the Dominion of the Spaniards, together with the whole Island. Moreover, it gave Birth to St. Hilary, Bishop of Rome: And Martin King of Sicily died therein, A. D. 1409.

Oristagni, Arborea, is in like manner the See of an Archbishop, on the Western-side of the Isle, distant only 6 Miles from the Gulf of the same name, and the Mouth of a River call'd also Il Rio d'Oristagno; 45 from Cagliari to the North-west; 30 from Bosa; and 60 from Sassari. It is not much inhabited, by reason of the unhealthiness of the Air; and was taken by the French Forces, under the Command of General Harcourt, A. D. 1677.

Sassari, Sassaris, or Turris Libyssonis Nova, stands in a delightful Plain near a small River in the Province of Capo di Lugodori, about 18 miles from Algheri, and 12 from the Ruins of Turris Libyssonis, or Torra, from whence the Metropolitan See was removed hither by Pope Eugenius IV. A. D. 1441. This City is large, but not well fortified.

Castel-Aragonese, Castrum Aragonense, or Emporiae Novae, is seated on the River Termo, or Termi, and hath a convenient Harbour at the mouth of that of Coquinas, being distant about 100 miles from Cagliari to the North, 80 from Oristagni, and 20 from Sassari. This City is well fortify'd with a strong Citadel, and other considerable Works; but the Aragonians impos'd on it the Name of Arago••••, by reason that it was the first Place that they subdued in the Island of Sardinia. Its Episcopal See, under the M•tropolitan of Sassari, was translated hith•r from 〈◊〉 by Pope Alexander VI. in 1503. and is always united to that of Terra Nuova.

Bosa is a Town of great Antiquity, and at present the See of a Prelate suffragan to the Archbishop of Sassari, from whence it is distant 35 miles, and 30 from Oristagni to the North. It is built on the Western-side of the Island, near the mouth of a small River, being fenced with a Fort call'd Sarravelle, and having a very capacious Harbour.

Algheri, Corax Algaria, er Alguerium, stands on the Northern Coasts of the Island, in the Province of Lugodori, and sprang up out of the Ruins of Tilium, or Argentera, a neighbouring Town. This City, though of a small extent, is nevertheless well built, and very populous, being distant 16 miles from Sassari to the South, and as many from Bosa. Its Episcopal See is subject to the Visitation of the Archbishop of Sassari; and was establish'd here instead of that of Othana, by Pope Julius II. in the Year 1504.