It is ‘the village of artists’ and also of the street market, the stazzi (rural dwellings), Bohemian spirit and iconic scenes from a James Bond film. San Pantaleo small but full of ideas, is located in a granite landscape in the territory of Olbia and has been inspiring works of art and creations within the international artistic circuits for decades. The village stands on the granite massif of Cugnana, surrounded by nature that has maintained its wild appearance despite the glamour of the nearby Costa Smeralda, still shining since the 1960s. The enchantment of the renowned emerald coast is part of the panorama that you can admire around it, together with the pink hues of the granite, even more captivating at sunset. The village itself offers spectacular views: it emerged at the end of the 19th century around a small church dedicated to Saint Pantaleo, rural at that time, and has witnessed an increase in its houses, over time and on a regular basis, built according to the typical model of the Gallura stazzo.
At first glance you will be fascinated by the contrasting colours of the white oleanders in bloom and the granite of the buildings in the main square, where, next to the houses, in apparent contrast, there are elegant boutiques, modern studios, shops selling typical local products and traditional artisan workshops. Its streets are populated by potters, goldsmiths, wrought iron artisans, inlayers, painters and sculptors, who steal the show particularly on Thursdays in spring and summer, the day when a famous market, one of the most fascinating on the island, takes place in the village. In addition to admiring local artefacts and antiques, you will be able to taste typical local products. Two other events characterise San Pantaleo: Magnendi in carrera is an evening for tasting typical local dishes and products, such as cured meats and cheeses, potato dumplings with wild boar, mazza frissa, a traditional rural dish of Gallura, casciu furriatu (melted cheese) and traditional desserts. Then, in September, the folklore festival brings together the main Sardinian folk groups. Walking along the road that enters the village and in the church square, you will experience the charm of the great cinema: some of the scenes from the 1976 007 film ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, set partly on the Costa Smeralda, were shot here.
The area around San Pantaleo is a gym for outdoor activities: numerous trekking trails have been obtained between the rocks and cork woods of the mountain. A few kilometres away, there are the enchanting beaches of Liscia Ruja, Petra Ruja, Razza di Giunco and Rena Bianca, set between granite cliffs, in front of which small islets emerge. There is a triumph of colours here: white and golden sands, red rocks, pink granites and turquoise waters, surrounded by Mediterranean greenery.
