Tempio Pausania, Administrative center in Gallura region, Sardinia, Italy
Tempio Pausania is a town at 566 meters (1,857 feet) elevation in the Gallura region of northeastern Sardinia, known for its grey granite buildings in the old center. The streets run between churches, squares, and houses all built from the same local stone, giving the place a uniform appearance.
The settlement grew from an inland trading hub and was named capital of the former Province of Olbia-Tempio in 2005. This role lasted until the administrative reform of 2016, which dissolved the provinces and created larger areas.
The name combines the Roman cult of the god Pausania with the Gallurese identity of the place, visible in stonework and architecture. On weekends, locals gather in the squares and narrow alleys, walking between old craft shops or stopping at bars.
National roads link the center to coastal towns and other Gallura communities, while a railway station on the outskirts serves the narrow-gauge line to Sassari and Palau. Walking the old center takes less than an hour, though the slopes between upper and lower quarters are noticeable.
The granite quarries around town have supplied stone for centuries, used not only for houses but also for church facades and old palaces. In some parts of the center, you can still spot old stonemasons' marks on the facades, documenting the origin of the blocks.
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