San Pantaleo

Eighteen kilometers from Olbia there is another world, it is called San Pantaleo. After passing the crossroads for the Costa Smeralda, go up the Milmegghju hills, and, nestled among the granite peaks, the village suddenly appears.

The peaks of Sant’Andrea, Pelchia Manna and Pelchia Minori are the backdrop to the Far West panorama.
The stazzi populate this area rich in water and woods, on the route of the old Roman road between Olbia and Tibula.

The springs represent one of the attractions of the village: in ancient times the area was called “Le sources of Beddoro", and constituted an oasis of well-being and healthy life in a little-traveled and almost deserted spot.

San Pantaleo is located on a raised hillock, dominating on one side the road to “Monti di Mola" (the current Costa Smeralda), for the other the road Arzachena – Baja Sardinia.
Despite being geographically detached, the history of San Pantaleo is always connected to that of the emerald beaches of Portisco, Rena Bianca, Razza di juncu.
The town was born thanks to the initiative of the inhabitants of the stazzi in the surrounding area: in 1894 they asked the bishop of Tempio to create a religious and social landmark: the church was erected in 1903, where it is still located today. A few meters away there are also the remains of the ancient cemetery, now abandoned.

Since the seventies a group of artists and painters has populated the village, attracted by its timeless and absolutely informal atmosphere, far from the social life of the coast.
Painters, decorators and sculptors from all over Europe gave birth to a sort of bohemian in San Pantaleo. Next to foreigners there is also a group of Gallura artisans, highly sought after for their artifacts, made of essential materials: wood, wrought iron, terracotta and ceramic.

The unique pieces of these local craftsmen have gone to furnish the surrounding villas, but they are also a sought-after purchase by tourists who arrive in the summer.
The names, now known on the peninsula and also abroad, are those of the Solinas brothers for the wrought iron objects displayed in the “Bottega del Ferro" in Via Molise (tel. 0789 65414 cell. 333 9623588). The other address to take into consideration is that of Tonino Dettori, who has become famous thanks to his chests, tables, but also simple bedside tables, embellished with the art of carving. (tel. 0789- 65379).

The material used in this company is stoneware: very resistant clay, cooked at very high temperatures, which lends itself to the creation of small objects such as vases or containers, which is then decorated and painted.
The other wealth of San Pantaleo, together with the lush nature and its inhabitants, is certainly found in restaurants, agritourisms and b & b.
This point of Gallura is full of offers that allow you to get to know the local gastronomy better: above all the road that slopes down to Arzachena and Baia Sardinia offers a succession of opportunities for the visitor who wishes to linger even for just one night. The stay in the village is pleasant all year round.

The country festivals are dedicated to the patron saints of this area: next to Pantaleo, here are the celebrations dedicated to San Salvatore in the nearby town of Monti Canaglia, San Martino which is celebrated on the mountain of Cugnana, San Michele and finally Santa Chiara. Often, in these appointments, the custom of offering the meal to those who participate in the religious rite is invaded.
All these reasons can therefore explain why the village has been, in recent years, at the center of an unexpected and significant building and real estate boom: the quality of life, the traditions, the strategic position help to understand the success of the destination, but alone they cannot explain all the luck of the village.