Guide to Asinara National Park: a wild island frozen in time.
Located in Sardinia, in the province of Sassari, the Asinara National Park is a natural treasure unique in the entire Mediterranean basin. The entire protected area consists of the island of Asinara, which is administered by the municipality of Porto Torres.
Due to its unique history (it was long used as a quarantine station and later as a maximum-security prison), the island remained isolated for decades, preserving the ecological habitat of over a century ago intact. Today, it is Sardinia’s second-largest island and has an elongated shape, characterized by hilly areas separated by picturesque ravines and flat areas.
The Two Faces of Asinara: Cliffs and Sandy Coves
The island’s coastline offers two completely contrasting landscapes, reflecting a complex and fascinating natural environment that led the Romans to rename it Sinuaria because of its sinuous outline:
- The eastern slope: It features gentle, low-lying coastlines, dotted with sheltered sandy coves and small marshy areas.
- The western slope: it is rugged, jagged, and dominated by spectacular cliffs that plunge straight down into the open sea.
Flora: The Scent of the Maquis and the Rare Spiny Cornflower
Asinara’s vegetation is a triumph of Mediterranean scents, but the island’s true botanical star is the thorny cornflower. It is a species endemic exclusively to Sardinia: an extraordinary plant that grows in characteristic silvery cushions with short, prickly branches, perfect for withstanding the strong, salty winds.
Fauna: The Land of White Donkeys and Dolphins
Asinara Island is a true wildlife sanctuary, where more than 80 species of terrestrial vertebrates breed, many of which are extremely rare.
The island’s iconic mammals
- The white donkeys: They are the undisputed stars of the park. This colony, unique in the world, consists of small donkeys with albinism, which can be spotted mainly near the Trabuccato and Santa Maria areas.
- Horses and Mouflons: Along with the donkeys, the island is home to about a hundred magnificent wild horses and proud mouflons that roam freely in the interior.
A birdwatcher’s paradise
The limestone cliffs and wetlands are home to a great many birds:
- Crested cormorants, great and little shearwaters, storm petrels, and sea swallows.
- The peregrine falcon and the rock dove nest on the highest cliffs, while the skies are traversed by the raven and the extremely rare Corsican gull, a symbol of environmental purity.
Marine Wonders
The crystal-clear, protected waters surrounding the park are teeming with life. Whether gazing out at the horizon or on a boat excursion, it’s very easy to spot magnificent cetaceans such as striped dolphins, common dolphins, and majestic fin whales.
