Here you can find an overview of the infographics located along the path to climb to Capo Figari, retracing the footsteps of Guglielmo Marconi in Golfo Aranci.
Following Marconi's Footsteps in Golfo Aranci
View the photographs and read the full text of the signs 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 radio telegraphy modulated with microwaves conducted by Guglielmo Marconi. The famous scientist arrived in Golfo Aranci on August 10 aboard the Elettra, his laboratory ship acquired in 1919, and the next day the equipment (the receiving reflector) was transported to the semaphore at Capo Figari so that tests were conducted in the afternoon receiving signals from Rocca di Papa (269 km away). After appropriate adjustments, the results were excellent until sunset, while in the evening hours, it was confirmed that the signals were suffering from significant attenuation. The experiments concluded by midnight.
Cala Moresca
Cala Moresca is the most famous among the coves of the Gulf of Aranci and derives its name from the fig tree, known in Sardinian as fico d'india. The abandoned remnants of the industrial plants for lime production, activated by the Tamponi family in the 1950s and 60s, can still be observed. The small lodge, once inhabited by the caretaker of the plants, also belongs to the mentioned family, along with the entire peninsula of Capo Figari.
Yellow-legged Gull
The yellow-legged gull nests in late spring, and the eggs hatch almost a month after laying, with the male helping the female during incubation.
Infographic Junction Capo Figari - Punta Filasca
The yacht Elettra
Acquired in 1919 and transformed by Marconi into a floating laboratory, for nearly two decades, the yacht Elettra traveled the Mediterranean extensively for primarily scientific purposes. Memorable is the radio signal that from the port of Genoa lit up 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 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 Semaphore of Capo Figari, continue left; the path indicated to the right leads you towards Cala Greca (which possibly derives its name from the wreck of a Greek ship in 1888), where the small cemetery for shipwrecked sailors is located, known as the English Cemetery, due to the presence of a grave of sailor G. C. Bradshaw, from the British ship HMS Vulcan, which was anchored near Golfo Aranci in June 1900. The first burials date back to 1887.
Great Crested Grebe
The great crested grebe spreads its wings after diving to dry its feathers. Unlike other birds, it does not have enough insulating fat.
Sign with Sea View on the Capo Figari Path
In the signage found on the path leading to the Marconi Semaphore in Golfo Aranci, interesting information can be found about local fauna, the Mediterranean scrub, and typical plants of Sardinia.
The Origins of Wireless
In the last years of the 1800s, the twenty-year-old Guglielmo Marconi had initiated the peaceful revolution of radiocommunications. Born in Bologna in 1874, the young Marconi quickly developed the desire to become an inventor, and at Villa Griffone - his family's home located on the first Bologna hills - he conducted the first wireless telegraphy experiments in 1895. That house is now home to the Marconi Foundation and Museum, where the beginnings of the inventor and developments in wireless from Marconi's time to the present are narrated.
Promontory of Capo Figari
The promontory of Capo Figari (m. 342 above sea level) marks the northern boundary of the Gulf of Olbia, which is in turn closed to the south by the promontory of Capo Caraso and the Island of Tavolara, with which Capo Figari shares a limestone geological origin. The name Figari once embraced a much larger area, including the isthmus where the Gulf of Aranci arose in the 1880s, extending to the Gulf of Marinella. In classical antiquity, the promontory was known as Columbarium promontorium.
Lentisk
Known for its multiple properties, it produces a resin that tones the skin, preventing aging.
Olive Tree
The olive tree has extraordinary longevity, thought to reach a millennium of life.
Sign before reaching the semaphore
The Semaphore of Capo Figari
The Semaphore, located on the Summit of Capo Figari (m 342 above sea level), was inaugurated in 1890 and built by the Royal Navy to communicate and provide information to vessels in traffic by using combinations of flags, signals, and pole semaphore devices. In 1905 it passed to the Ministry of Defense, while in 1932 significant experiments in microwave radio telegraphy and radio telephony were conducted by Guglielmo Marconi. The building, now reduced to ruins, was finally abandoned in the late 1950s.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the story of Guglielmo Marconi at Capo Figari?
- Guglielmo Marconi conducted radiotelephony 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 through various points, including Cala Moresca. Along the route, you will find several infographics telling the story and local wildlife.
- What can I see along the trail to Capo Figari?
- Along the trail, you can enjoy breathtaking views, remains of industrial facilities, and information about local wildlife such as the crested cormorant. There are also informative signs about the Mediterranean scrubland.
- 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 typical species of Mediterranean scrubland.
- Are there facilities or services along the trail?
- There are no tourist facilities along the trail, so it is advisable to bring water and snacks. However, there are informative signs that provide details about the path and the local history.
- What is 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. Additionally, during this time, local wildlife can be spotted 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 remains of an old industrial activity.