Capo Testa, Sardinia ...snorkelling on Roman columns. 5th -7th August 2014 41.14:28N 009.09:82E
Tioram 4
Tina & Tony
Thu 7 Aug 2014 19:13
Capo Testa is situated on the North west coast of Sardinia. The bay is surrounded by strange shaped granite boulders, a familiar sight in the coast of this region.
The bay has an amazing area for snorkelling on ancient roman columns. The granite boulders here were once quarried by the Romans and loaded onto waiting boats in the deep protected water close to shore. It seems that there may have been a wooden pontoon pier of sorts built to bridge the gaps between boulders in the water to make a way to load the boats. Perhaps the bridge gave way under a heavy load or a loaded boat sank whilst moored in an unforeseen storm. Either way there are a series of carved blocks lying on the sea bed from rectangular blocks to triangular, cylindrical forms and a couple of broken fluted columns. Very exciting stuff.
On the beach, the locals have raised a column to vertical at some time in history and there is a fractured font- like form lying abandoned on the beach ....now between sunbathers.
On shore in the boulders there is evidence of the past quarrying. The techniques for cracking and separating these huge forms follow that of Egypt. Many boulders have carved rectangular holes in them, into which wooden blocks were inserted, wet with water to cause expansion, which in turn cracked massive blocks. The holes can be seen in vertical and horizontal directions with cheese - like angular chunks removed from the curved boulders.
There are several discarded blocks and columns, some mis- sharpen fluted columns and other blocks part carved and cracked.
We had a fab time exploring the headland, beach and especially underwater.
Whatever happened to the cargo of the waiting boat it now sits on the seabed for us to enjoy and explore by snorkelling.
A great exciting location and sheltered anchorage.
Photos of......
Capo Testa beach, bay, headland, underwater columns and Tioram at anchor.
Love to all
T and T x x
