Here you can find an overview of the infographics located on the trail leading up to Capo Figari, retracing the footsteps of Guglielmo Marconi in Golfo Aranci.
In the Footsteps of Marconi in Golfo Aranci
View the photographs and read the complete texts of the panels included in the “Historical – Cultural – Naturalistic Path from Golfo Aranci to Capo Figari”.
Infographic at Cala Moresca
Guglielmo Marconi at Capo Figari
In the summer of 1932, Capo Figari was the site of experiments in radiotelephony and modulated radiotelegraphy with microwaves conducted by Guglielmo Marconi. The famous scientist arrived in Golfo Aranci on August 10 aboard the Elettra, his laboratory ship purchased in 1919, and the following day the devices (the receiving reflector) were transported to the lighthouse at Capo Figari so that in the afternoon reception tests were conducted from Rocca di Papa (269 km away). After appropriate adjustments, the results were excellent until sunset, while during the evening hours it was confirmed that signals were experiencing significant attenuation. The experiments concluded around midnight.
Cala Moresca
Cala Moresca is the most famous of the coves along the Golfo Aranci coastline and likely gets its name from the fig tree (fico d'india in Sardinian). The abandoned remains of industrial facilities for lime production can still be seen, which were activated by the Tamponi family between the 1950s and 1960s. The small house, once inhabited by the caretaker of the facilities, also belongs to the aforementioned family, like the entire peninsula of Capo Figari.
Yellow-legged Gull
The yellow-legged gull nests in late spring, and the eggs hatch after nearly a month after laying, with the male helping the female during incubation.
Infographic Junction Capo Figari - Punta Filasca
The Elettra Yacht
Purchased in 1919 and transformed by Marconi into a floating laboratory, for nearly two decades the Elettra yacht traveled extensively across the Mediterranean for predominantly scientific purposes. Memorable was the radio signal that, from the port of Genoa, lit the lights of the City Hall in Sydney, Australia (1930) and the first experiment of "blind navigation" in the port of Sestri Levante (1934). It was aboard the Elettra, during cruises that sometimes lasted several months, that Marconi conducted some of the experiments that paved the way for recent developments in wireless technology.
English Cemetery
To reach the Lighthouse at Capo Figari, continue left; the trail indicated on the right leads instead to Cala Greca (which might take its name from the shipwreck of a Greek vessel in 1888), where the small cemetery of shipwrecked sailors is located, known as the English Cemetery due to the presence of the grave of sailor G. C. Bradshaw, a crew member of the British ship HMS Vulcan, which was anchored off Golfo Aranci in June 1900. The earliest burials date back to 1887.
Pygmy Cormorant
The pygmy cormorant spreads its wings after diving to dry its feathers. Unlike other birds, it does not have enough insulating fat.
Seaside Signboard on the Capo Figari Trail
In the signage found on the trail leading to the Marconi Lighthouse in Golfo Aranci, you can find interesting information about local wildlife, the Mediterranean scrub, and typical plants of Sardinia.
The Origins of Wireless
In the last years of the 1800s, a twenty-year-old Guglielmo Marconi had initiated the peaceful revolution of radiocommunications. Born in Bologna in 1874, young Marconi matured at an early age the desire to become an inventor and in Villa Griffone - his family home located on the first hills of Bologna - he conducted in 1895 the first experiments in wireless telegraphy. That house is now the seat of the Marconi Foundation and Museum, where the beginnings of the inventor and the developments of wireless from Marconi’s beginnings to today are narrated.
Capo Figari Headland
The headland of Capo Figari (m. 342 asl) marks the northern edge of the Gulf of Olbia, which in turn is closed to the south by the headland of Capo Caraso and by the Island of Tavolara, with which Capo Figari shares a calcareous geological origin. The toponym Figari used to encompass a much larger area, including the isthmus where Gulf Aranci arose in the 1880s, reaching all the way to the Gulf of Marinella. In classical antiquity, the headland was known as Columbarium promontorium.
Lentisk
Known for its many properties, it produces a resin that tones the skin and prevents aging.
Olive tree
The olive tree has an extraordinary longevity, believed to reach a millennium of life.
Sign before reaching the lighthouse
The Lighthouse of Capo Figari
The Lighthouse, located at the Summit of Capo Figari (m 342 asl), was inaugurated in 1890 and built by the Royal Navy to communicate and provide information to ships in transit using combinations of flags, signals, and semaphore devices. In 1905 it was transferred to the Ministry of Defense, while in 1932 important experiments in radiotelegraphy and microwave radiotelephony were carried out by Guglielmo Marconi. The building, now reduced to ruins, was definitively abandoned at the end of the 1950s.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the story of Guglielmo Marconi at Capo Figari?
- Guglielmo Marconi conducted radio-telephony experiments at Capo Figari in 1932. He used his yacht Elettra to test the reception of long-distance signals.
- How do you reach the trail to Capo Figari?
- The trail to Capo Figari starts from Golfo Aranci and can be accessed from various points, including Cala Moresca. Along the way, you will find several infographics that tell the story and local wildlife.
- What can I see along the trail to Capo Figari?
- Along the trail, you can admire breathtaking views, remnants of industrial facilities, and information about local wildlife such as the crested cormorant. There are also informative signs about the Mediterranean scrub.
- What animals can I spot in the Capo Figari area?
- In the Capo Figari area, you can spot various bird species such as the Corsican gull and the crested cormorant. The area is also home to many other species typical of the Mediterranean scrub.
- Are there facilities or services along the trail?
- There are no tourist facilities along the trail, so it's advisable to bring water and snacks. However, there are informational signs that provide details about the path and local history.
- What's the best time to visit Capo Figari?
- The best time to visit Capo Figari is during spring and summer when the weather is warm and favorable for hiking. Also, during this period, it is possible to spot local wildlife more actively.
- What does the name Cala Moresca mean?
- Cala Moresca derives from the Sardinian term 'figu morisca', which refers to the prickly pear. The cove is famous for its landscape and the remnants of an old industrial activity.