Porto Cervo
The little church of Stella Maris, Porto Cervo
In March 1962 a small group of international entrepreneurs, headed by Prince Karim Aga Khan, set up the Costa Smeralda Consortium with the aim of developing tourism in the vast area of the Arzachena territory, comprising the present coastal band which stretches from Liscia Ruja to Liscia di Vacca for about 55km. In this area a number of high-class structures were gradually built, attracting an elite kind of tourism; luxury hotels and exclusive villas became the summer destination for members of high society and the economic leaders of the world; the subjects of the glossy magazines which have promoted life on the Coast all over the world.
From the very beginning, the project’s aim was to preserve the beauty of the territory by using particular buildings and design which respected the natural landscape. Thus, the Costa Smeralda style was born, greatly inspired by the typical construction features of provincial Sardinia and blending discreetly into the coastal background of rocks and vegetation.
Porto Cervo is a suggestive resort with characteristic architecture and a visit here means going through a labyrinth of lanes, porticoed streets and flights of stairs, all converging on the famous Piazzetta overlooking the bay, connected by a little wooden bridge to the Porto Vecchio (Old Port), which in the high season is packed with luxury boats and yachts. Porto Cervo Marina is to the north of the bay, a modern and spacious tourist port, appealing to sailing lovers and overlooked by the a number of distinctive architectural features among which a granite and basalt Tower and the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club. The well-known and suggestive little Church of Stella Maris stands in a panoramic position; entry to the church is through the majestic bronze door created by the sculptor Luciano Minguzzi and inside we find a painting of a "Mater Addolorata" by the artist El Greco. The church, often home to classical music concerts, is seen as the architectural symbol of the Costa and captures the purest spirit of Mediterranean art.
Porto Cervo is also world-famous for its society life and for a number of enterprises from the world of fashion, cinema, show-business and sport. In the centre you can do the rounds of the beauty centres and designer shops. Every night there are plenty of different exclusive nightspots to try; the haunts of internationally acclaimed stars and top models.
From the very beginning, the project’s aim was to preserve the beauty of the territory by using particular buildings and design which respected the natural landscape. Thus, the Costa Smeralda style was born, greatly inspired by the typical construction features of provincial Sardinia and blending discreetly into the coastal background of rocks and vegetation.
Porto Cervo is a suggestive resort with characteristic architecture and a visit here means going through a labyrinth of lanes, porticoed streets and flights of stairs, all converging on the famous Piazzetta overlooking the bay, connected by a little wooden bridge to the Porto Vecchio (Old Port), which in the high season is packed with luxury boats and yachts. Porto Cervo Marina is to the north of the bay, a modern and spacious tourist port, appealing to sailing lovers and overlooked by the a number of distinctive architectural features among which a granite and basalt Tower and the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club. The well-known and suggestive little Church of Stella Maris stands in a panoramic position; entry to the church is through the majestic bronze door created by the sculptor Luciano Minguzzi and inside we find a painting of a "Mater Addolorata" by the artist El Greco. The church, often home to classical music concerts, is seen as the architectural symbol of the Costa and captures the purest spirit of Mediterranean art.
Porto Cervo is also world-famous for its society life and for a number of enterprises from the world of fashion, cinema, show-business and sport. In the centre you can do the rounds of the beauty centres and designer shops. Every night there are plenty of different exclusive nightspots to try; the haunts of internationally acclaimed stars and top models.