Olbia
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| Comune di Olbia | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Province | Olbia-Tempio (OT) |
| Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Area | 376.10 km² (145.2 sq mi) |
| Population (as of May 25, 2006) | |
| - Total | 51,045 |
| - Density | 136/km² (352/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Olbiesi |
| Dialing code | 0789 |
| Postal code | 07026 |
| Frazioni | San Pantaleo, Porto Rotondo, Rudalza, Berchiddeddu, Murta Maria, Porto Istana, Pittulongu |
| Patron | San Simplicio |
| - Day | May 15 |
| Website: www.comune.olbia.ot.it | |
Olbia (Sardinian: Terranoa, Gallurese: Tarranoa), is a town of approximately 51,000 inhabitants in northeastern Sardinia (Italy), in the Gallura sub-region.
Called Olbia in the Roman age, Civita in the Middle Ages (Giudicati period) and Terranova Pausania before the 1940s, Olbia was again the official name of the town after the period of Fascism. It is the economic centre of this part of the island (commercial centres, food industry) and is very close to the famous Costa Smeralda tourist area. It is an administrative capital (together with Tempio Pausania) of the province of Olbia-Tempio, operative since 2005.
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History
Olbia (the name is of Greek origin) is very ancient and was possibly founded by the Greeks, according to a local legend. It contains ruins from Phoenician and Carthaginian settlement to the Roman Era, when it was an important port, and the Middle Ages, when it was the capital of the Giudicato of Gallura, one of the four independent states of Sardinia.
Main sights
- the Romanesque former cathedral of San Simplicio (11th-12th century).
Transportation
Olbia is the main connection between Sardinia and the Italian peninsula, with an airport (Olbia - Costa Smeralda), a passenger port (Olbia-Isola Bianca), and a railway to Porto Torres and Cagliari. There is an expressway to Nuoro and Cagliari (SS131) and national roads to Sassari (SS199-E840), Tempio Pausania (SS127), and Palau (SS125).
External links
- Olbia travel guide from Wikitravel
- Official website of Olbia Tourism Board
- Official Olbia page on Sardegnaturismo
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