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Ogliastra Tourism - Comune of Girasole
THE AREA
Via Nazionale, 21 - 08040 - Girasole - phone number: +39.0782.623143 - fax number: +39.0782.668975
e-mail: comgirasole@tiscali.it - web site of the comune: www.comunegirasole.it
INFO ABOUT GIRASOLE
Where to stay
- Hotels
- Agriturismo
Where to eat
- Restaurant
- Agriturismo
The leading Sardinia historians say that Girasole is on the site of the ancient settlement of Sulci, reference to which you find from the times of Caracalla as an important location on the east of the island. The old name, which means "land of the sun", over the centuries was modified: in 1300 it became Gerosuli, then Gelisoi, finally, in 1500, Girasol; even today, in the local dialect, the town is called Gelisuli.
Girasole is historically one of Ogliastra's most important towns, since it has existed on the same site for over 3000 years. In ancient times it was a landing site for the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians; in 200 BC a Roman decree recognised its strategic importance, declaring it a seasonal port. Subject to Barbaric and Vandal raids in the 6th century, it resisted Arab incursions in the successive centuries, and became a flourishing centre during the Pisan and Aragonese domination, helped by the presence of the port. In a favourable geographic position, Girasole is a little town one kilometre from the sea, surrounded by greenery, in the centre of the Ogliastra coastal plain.
In the last 20 years the population has almost doubled, above all due to growth of tourism in the area. The comune covers an area of about 13 square kilometres; with agriculture the main activity, but, thanks to the nearby port of Arbatax, a well-irrigated area with a good electricity supply and growing local industries, the town's economy is growing. The main gastronomic speciality is the culurgiones, a sort of ravioli with various types of filling.
THE COMUNI OF OGLIASTRA