Capo Testa (Sardinia) - Underwater History

Lost Civilisations - The Myth of Atlantis

    Since before the 1500s, the myth of the lost city of Atlantis has fuelled the imagination of creative hipsters through the ages, including Philo Judaeus, Plato, Francis Bacon, Abraham Ortelius and importantly, the Scottish musician Donovan.

'Way down.....below the ocean....'

    And even more importantly, it inspired (Sir?) Julian Courtland-Smith to create one of the GREATEST boardgames of all time - 'Escape from Atlantis'.

Even if I don't win (which is never), it still feels like I'm just generally winning at life when I play Escape From Atlantis. Those beautifully coloured figurines, the danger and destruction from sea monsters, that tantalising tessellation of those hexagons, I could go on... 

(picture from nostalgianerd.com)

   However, in our real, non-game world (if there even is such a thing), there's a planet full of hidden histories and ancient relics immersed beneath the waves that can offer inspiration of what we think the Lost City of Atlantis would look like. For example, there is...  

Capo Testa

    In the North of the Italian island of Sardinia there is a peninsula named Capo Testa (in English this means the Cap of the Head) which used to be a Roman stronghold in terms of military strategy, but also for resources for its Capital City. Granite was threshed from the Capo Testa landscape and hauled to mainland Italy to build Rome itself. If you look closely at the sea-eroded scenery you can see signs of an ancient civilisation that must have worked incredibly hard!

Spacious, atmospheric property with excellent sea views...

Would you describe those stairs as whimsical, kooky or just plain deadly?

    Tiny, hidden clues of a time-worn community are dotted around Capo Testa. However, even more impressive are the often hilariously shaped rocks moulded both from bygone quarrying work and of course by the powerful erosion from the Mediterranean sea.

This rock looks like an elephant or a bird with a large beak. Other suggestions are welcome.

Get your sunscreen on, some tough beach/walking shoes, your best lenses (including for sunglasses as well as for cameras) and enjoy the views.

     Just be aware that, although it may seem like you are looking at the rocks...

...the rocks are actually looking at you.

(Like the Gnome King in Return to Oz - if you get that reference, you are officially a spirit sibling of mine...)

Capo Testa (Underwater) 

   Alright fellow humamphibians, let's dip our heads under the water and see what Capo Testa has hidden under its quarryl-some waves.

But not before observing Ol' Rocky Face here..

    I mean, the water in Sardinia always looks so inviting, it practically orders you to go for a swim!

Viewgasm

    Due to the erosion of the waves, it is difficult to interpret whether or not you are looking at aged stairways, statues or simply weather-beaten rocks.

Look at that centuries-old anger on this guy..

    You can see plenty of wonderful schools and shoals of fish near the surface of the water as you admire mysterious sub-aquatic structures....

Shoaling societies definitely still call this place a home

    Walls and bridges can often look impressive and/or imposing, but underwater they are cleansed by the beauty of the sea..

I've never really been too keen on walls (unless they're the underwater sort).

Would you say that this could be a bridge over and under sometimes troubled water?

    The underwater scenery can be so breath-taking, but don't actually forget to breathe. After all, beautiful landscapes are all around, especially in the form of the Capo Testa Lighthouse sitting atop its kingdom of majestic rocks and fantastic beaches. 

The completely automatic Capo Testa Lighthouse was built in 1845. Facts.

Sardinia Travel Advice

    In all honesty, it's best to get a rented car and travel to where your instincts are pulling you. In the city of Olbia, there are many low budget hotels. There are numerous fantastic places to go and the sea is beautiful everywhere you look, especially if you visit during the summery months (June to September). If you're into history and archaeology, there is a wealth of cultural treasure all around Sardinia. Sometimes you have to let your inner explorer come out from its hiding place and treat your psyche to wonders from lost ages.

Cave? Staircase? Sea? How about all three, those are your decisions...

    But, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the warmth and the sea breezes with a pizza and granita combo. Keep your eyes peeled whilst Tyrrhenian Rock Lizards scuttle past:

This one seemed to like posing, but most of the time they just want your food..

    So pack plenty of sunscreen (factor 30-50 for Gingers like me), some insect repellent and a well-organised map of fantastic destinations to drive or cycle to.

Starred - beautiful beaches.

    But this is your holiday! So get on Google Maps and start planning your adventure...

Grazie mille for reading. Here's a bit of underwater videography:

Music: Sandro Fresi - Sarté
(plus a snippet of Ezra Furnan's 'At the Bottom of the Ocean')