On the shores of the Gulf of Asinara once stood Turris Libisonis, present-day Porto Torres, which was the most flourishing and strategic Roman colony in northern Sardinia.
Born in the republican era and enhanced under the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the city accumulated immense wealth thanks to maritime and commercial traffic, transforming into a crucial hub for the entire imperial administration on the island.
The best-preserved archaeological remains include the grandiose Maetzke Baths and the Palltavanti thermal complex, embellished with luminous mosaic floors decorated with marine and geometric motifs. Not far away develops the famous Domus of Orpheus, known for its wide peristyle and refined floor mosaic depicting the mythical singer intent on charming wild beasts with the power of his music.
The path of discovery also includes the powerful remains of the Roman bridge over the Mannu River, an engineering work of extraordinary craftsmanship still admirable today, alongside the nearby suburban area characterized by the imperial necropolises. Turris Libisonis restores with exceptional clarity the face of a profound Romanization, made of urban luxury, monumental architecture, and intense trade in the heart of the ancient Mediterranean.
