Bed & Breakfast · Ghilarza, Sardinia
↓
Bed & Breakfast · Ghilarza, Sardinia
Our story
"Bitulera", in the Sardinian dialect of my hometown, means wanderer, gypsy, globe-trotter — whichever way you put it, that's me, and I welcome you!
Lost in a thousand journeys around the globe since my twenties — from the freshwater rivers of Latin America to the sub-equatorial coasts of Africa — I return to my roots, to my beloved Sardinian land, and I bring you with me.
Come, then, and inhabit the spaces I have watched grow with the slow, hypnotic rhythms of this magnificent, millennia-old island.
It will be basalt that greets you at "Bitulera"! Stone upon stone, carved by the hands of my grandfather the stonemason, and still today by my father — together they gave new form to the effusive volcanic rock typical of the Ghilarza territory, the very same stone you will find in the vaults and walls of one of Sardinia's greatest nuraghi, Nuraghe Losa, just a short walk away!
In the central dining room, breakfast makes the most of the morning light and the opening onto the garden, amid the silence of the small village lane and the birdsong at dawn.
At "Bitulera", paintings and textiles are the protagonists of every room, speaking to you of the island and its bewitching air, of the careful and delicate craft of its people. While works created on other continents will carry you elsewhere — as will the music, the books, and the village silence in the evenings.
And beyond all of this, near Bitulera, there is also me: Zeno, who has been around for a while now. I enjoy your company and I show up when I can, but… only for those who are friends of four-legged friends!
Where you will sleep
In the rooms that will host you, where you will enjoy the privacy of your own bathroom, you will savour the colours of the carpets from Nule — a must-visit for lovers of textile art and fine craftsmanship. As well as the tapestries from Atzara, with their naturally dyed wools drawn from the Mediterranean maquis, rich in properties that only skilled young artisans from the area know how to bring to life. Paintings and textiles that will speak to you of this island and its bewitching air, of the careful and delicate work of its people, while works with the tones and sinuosities of other continents will take you far away, even while you are here — as will the music, the books, and the silence of the evenings.
Spacious double room (23 m²) with en-suite bathroom and private small balcony.
Spacious double room with a private bathroom located just outside the room.
Pellet stove for the cooler seasons — because visiting the island in winter and discovering its events, local festivals, scents and flavours has as much value in summer as it does at autumn sunsets or wrapped up at Christmas and New Year!
Guitars and piano available for those who travel and leave their instruments at home — within the permitted hours and in respect of the peace of neighbours and fellow guests.
Common lounge, airy, bright and spacious, where healthy and wholesome breakfasts are served — breakfast always included.
Parking in the adjacent square or in the space beneath the house.
The territory
Ghilarza lies in the heart of Sardinia, reachable from the three main airports — Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia — and from the 4 ferry ports of Arbatax, Olbia, Porto Torres and Cagliari, via the major road arteries that connect the whole island.
The town owes its appearance and architectural character to the ingenuity and technical skill of many builders who over the years shaped the dark grey rock and made it the ideal material to embellish houses, public buildings, streets, courtyards and country paths. The famous "maistros de muru" of Ghilarza are renowned as highly skilled stonemasons for major construction works in great cities across the world: it is they who laid the paving stones of Red Square in Moscow.
The name of Ghilarza echoes in history books above all because it is home to the house of Antonio Gramsci. The rooms where he and his family grew up from 1898 are today the Casa Museo Antonio Gramsci, where visitors can admire objects from his childhood, read his original writings and learn about the events that made him a statesman known throughout the world. Since 2011, the International School of Gramscian Studies has also been active here.
Not to be missed: Piazza San Palmerio (13th century) with its distinctive Aragonese Tower, an imposing Gothic-Aragonese architectural work (16th century) that today hosts exhibitions, events and conferences for the entire Guilcer area.
Between the River Tirso and the lake you can enjoy excellent walks all the way to the imposing century-old dam, and lose yourself in the rural reality of small basalt-stone villages, with their Novenari pilgrimages at Trempu, San Giovanni, San Serafino and San Michele.
Between the River Tirso and Lake Omodeo you can enjoy excellent walks leading all the way to the imposing century-old dam, and lose yourself in the various rural realities where small typical basalt-stone villages host numerous local festivals and offer natural scenery not to be missed.
Near Bitulera: supermarkets, ice cream parlours, pizzerias, a newsagent,
tobacconists, a pharmacy, restaurants and pubs are all within easy reach.
Train station: 1.8 km away (about 5 minutes by car), with a direct
connection to Cagliari Elmas airport.
Nearest seaside destinations (approximately 35–40 minutes by car):
For excursions by sea, lake and countryside you will be spoilt for choice! The area is full of excellent hiking and nature guides.
Images
Book or write to us
Feel free to contact us for any questions, information or bookings!
@Bitulera_ghilarza