Garden impressions of a port town.

I’m in Porto Torres, a port town in northern Sardinia, Italy. A major reason to visit this part of the island is the nearby Parco Nazionale dell’Asinara. Due to relative isolation over a prolonged period this national park has an interesting flora and fauna. Having said that, the town centre of Porto Torres itself does not offer much in terms of garden experiences. Although there are a few official parks/gardens they lack a great deal when it comes to maintenance. Insufficient watering being a major factor contributing to an inferior appearance. But here follows some garden impressions of a port town.

Garden impressions of a port town. - Garden Room Style
Abundance of planters near the Basilica di San Gavino – Porto Torres, Sardinia.

Porto Torres has just over 20,000 inhabitants. Until the 1960s the city was more or less a hamlet. Between 1961 and 1971, the population doubled as investments in the petrochemical industry poured in. Much of the housing is thus modern, catering for the increased number of residents. In the 1980s the area saw a massive economic slump due to the financial failure of the owner of the industry. Tourism has become an alternative source of income for Porto Torres, but from I can see the area has not fully recovered. Here I’m thinking that the city can be inspired by Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord in Germany. They turned a defunct industrial area into an entertainment park, which in effect is an attraction park. Good for tourism ….

Plants and ancient columns in Porto Torres, Sardinia - Garden Room Style
Ancient columns and a number of planters in a square near the Basilica di San Gavino – Porto Torres
Details - Garden Room Style
Detail of planter and window in a square near the Basilica di San Gavino – Porto Torres
Masses of thyme overhanging a rock wall - Porto Torres - Garden Room Style
Masses of thyme overhanging a rock wall – Porto Torres
Dilapidation - Garden Room Style
A dilapidated garden with weeds and mismanaged plants, but at the same time a fascinating look. Especially with that terracotta coloured wall as background.