History of Sardinia in Timeline

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. Situated west of mainland Italy and north of Tunisia, it lies just south of Corsica. As of 2025, Sardinia has a population exceeding 1.5 million.

1920: Foundation of Cagliari Calcio

In 1920, Cagliari Calcio was founded.

1926: Grazia Deledda wins Nobel Prize

In 1926, the Sardinian writer Grazia Deledda was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

September 1943: German troops leave Sardinia

In September 1943, following the Armistice of Cassibile, German troops peacefully departed Sardinia for Corsica, due to a bilateral agreement between General Antonio Basso and German General Karl Hans Lungerhausen.

1943: Air raids

In 1943, the complex of San Domenico, which included the church and the convent, was almost completely destroyed during the air raids, and of which only the cloister remains.

October 1944: Establishment of Airone Airline

In October 1944, Airone - Compagnia Trasporti Aerei S.A., an airline, was established in Cagliari to provide fast connections between Sardinia and mainland Italy.

1946: Italy becomes a republic

In 1946, Italy became a republic following a popular referendum.

1946: Kingdom of Italy reconstituted as Italian Republic

In 1946, the Kingdom of Italy was reconstituted as the present-day Italian Republic.

1948: Sardinia granted special autonomy

In 1948, Sardinia was granted a special statute of autonomy.

1951: Malaria eliminated, tourist boom begins

In 1951, malaria was successfully eradicated in Sardinia, which helped the commencement of the Sardinian tourist boom.

1960: Foundation of Dinamo Basket Sassari

In 1960, Dinamo Basket Sassari was founded.

1963: Foundation of Alisarda

In 1963, Alisarda, which was later known as Air Italy (Meridiana), was founded by the Aga Khan IV in the airport of Olbia. The development of Alisarda followed the development of Costa Smeralda.

1965: SACOI submarine power cable in operation

From 1965 the SACOI, another submarine power cable, links Sardinia to Italy, crossing Corsica.

1967: Foundation of Centro Velico Caprera

In 1967, the Centro Velico Caprera, considered one of the largest sailing schools in the Mediterranean Sea, was founded on the island of Caprera.

1967: Foundation of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

In 1967, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, located in Porto Cervo, was founded.

1969: Italian Championship

In the 1969–70 Serie A season, Cagliari Calcio won the Italian Championship.

1973: Oil crisis causes job losses

The 1973 oil crisis resulted in the termination of employment for thousands of workers in Sardinia's petrochemical industries.

1983: Separatist party leader elected

In 1983, a prominent activist of the Sardinian Action Party was elected president of the regional parliament.

1987: Bombing attacks in Sardinia

In 1987, Sardinia experienced a surge in violence, with 224 bombing attacks reported within the span of just two years.

1988: Bombing attacks in Sardinia

In 1988, Sardinia experienced a surge in violence, with 224 bombing attacks reported within the span of just two years.

1991: Rural depopulation

Between 1991 and 2001, 71.4% of Sardinian villages experienced population loss, with 32 losing more than 20% and 115 losing between 10% and 20%.

1991: CRS4 develops European website

In 1991, the CRS4 (Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia) developed the second European website and 1st in Italy.

1994: Foundation of Videonline

In 1994, Videonline, a telecommunication company and internet service provider, was founded in Sardinia.

1995: CRS4 develops webmail

In 1995, the CRS4 (Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia) developed webmail.

1997: UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1997, Su Nuraxi di Barumini was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1997: Recognition of Sardinian language

Since 1997, Sardinian has been formally recognized as one of Italy's twelve historical ethnolinguistic minorities by regional and Italian law.

1998: Foundation of Tiscali

In 1998, Tiscali, a telecommunication company and internet service provider, was founded in Sardinia.

1999: Foundation of Andala Umts

In 1999, Andala Umts, a telecommunication company and internet service provider, was founded in Sardinia.

1999: Recognition of Sardinian languages

In 1999, the Sardinian, Sassarese, Gallurese, Algherese, and Tabarchino languages were formally recognized, along with Italian.

2000: Launeddas instrument

Bronze statuettes from Ittiri of a man playing the three reed canes that produce the launeddas harmonies, dated to 2000 BC.

2001: ISTAT census results

According to the ISTAT census of 2001, the literacy rate in Sardinia among people below 65 years old is 99.5 percent.

2001: Rural depopulation

Between 1991 and 2001, 71.4% of Sardinian villages experienced population loss, with 32 losing more than 20% and 115 losing between 10% and 20%.

2002: Formula 3000 race

Cagliari hosted a Formula 3000 race in 2002 on a 2.414-km street circuit around Sant'Elia stadium.

2003: Formula 3000 race and exhibition

In 2003, Cagliari hosted a Formula 3000 race on a 2.414-km street circuit around Sant'Elia stadium. Also, in 2003, Renault F1's Jarno Trulli and former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi did a spectacular exhibition.

2004: BBC Radio 3 Program

In 2004, BBC presenter Andy Kershaw traveled to Sardinia with Sardinian music specialist Pablo Farba and interviewed many artists. His programme can be heard on BBC Radio 3.

2004: Rally d'Italia Sardegna

Since 2004, Sardinia has hosted the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, a rally competition in the FIA World Rally Championship schedule.

2005: UNESCO Heritage

In 2005, UNESCO classed the cantu a tenore among intangible world heritage.

2006: Language Usage Statistics

According to ISTAT data published in 2006, 52.5% of the Sardinian population speaks only Italian in the family environment, 29.3% alternates Italian and Sardinian, and only 16.6% uses Sardinian or other non-Italian languages.

2006: Approval of standardized writing system

In 2006, the regional administration approved the use of a single standardized writing system, the so-called Limba Sarda Comuna, in official acts.

2007: University enrollment numbers

In 2007, 48,979 students were enrolled at the universities in Sardinia.

2007: Freestyle Pro Kids Europe 2007 contest

In 2007, Porto Pollo hosted the finale of the freestyle Pro Kids Europe 2007 windsurfing contest.

2007: Increase in arrivals and passengers

In 2007, there was an increase in arrivals and passengers compared to the previous year; in 2008 there were 2,363,496 arrivals (up 1.4% on 2007) and the airports of the island registered 11,896,674 passengers (up 1.24% on 2007).

November 2008: Adoption of Digital Terrestrial Television

In November 2008, Sardinia became the first region in Europe to fully adopt the new Digital Terrestrial Television broadcasting standard, with TV channels being broadcast only in digital.

Loading Video...

2008: University enrollment numbers

In 2008, 48,979 students were enrolled at the universities in Sardinia.

2008: Unemployment rate

In 2008, the unemployment rate for Sardinia's fourth quarter was 8.6%.

2008: Arrivals in Sardinia

In 2008, there were 2,363,496 arrivals in Sardinia, which was a 1.4% increase from 2007. Also in 2008, the island's airports registered 11,896,674 passengers, up 1.24% from 2007.

2008: US Navy Nuclear Submarine Base Closure

Until 2008, the US Navy had a nuclear submarine base in the Maddalena Archipelago.

April 2009: G8 summit moved from Sardinia

In April 2009, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi decided to move the 35th G8 summit from La Maddalena in Sardinia to L'Aquila, causing heavy protests.

July 2009: Planned date for the G8 summit in Sardinia

The 35th G8 summit was initially planned to be held in Sardinia, on the island of La Maddalena in July 2009.

2009: Increased renewable energy capacity

At the end of 2009, Sardinia had installed 586.8 megawatts of wind power capacity.

2009: Aging population

In 2009, 18.7% of Sardinia's population was older than 65.

2009: Sapei power cable enters operation

In 2009, the new submarine power cable Sapei entered into operation, linking the Fiume Santo Power Station in Sardinia to Latina in the Italian peninsula.

2010: Promotion in Lega A

In 2010, Dinamo Basket Sassari was promoted to Lega A.

2010: Louis Vuitton Trophy

In 2010, Part of the Louis Vuitton Trophy was held in the Maddalena archipelago.

2011: Sardinian Economy in 2011

In 2011, a review of the sectors of the Sardinian economy was conducted.

2012: Increase in the unemployment rate

By 2012, Sardinia's unemployment rate had risen to 14.6% due to the Great Recession reducing exports of refined oil, chemical products, mining and metallurgical products.

2012: Twostar regatta

In 2012, Andrea Mura, the skipper of Vento di Sardegna ('Wind of Sardinia'), won the Two Handed Transatlantic Race (Twostar) regatta.

February 2013: Portoscuso becomes first free trade zone

In February 2013, the town of Portoscuso became the first free trade zone in Sardinia, which has the potential to become a tax haven due to the absence of custom duties, value added tax (VAT), and excise taxes on fuel across the entire island.

October 2013: Modification of Sardinian Statute

In October 2013, the Sardinian Statute was modified by the regional parliament declaring the Territory of Sardinia as a Free Trade Zone enclosed by the surrounding sea, with access points at seaports and airports.

November 2013: Severe rainstorms in Sardinia

In November 2013, some locations in Sardinia experienced severe rainstorms, with over 431 mm (17.0 in) of rainfall recorded within two hours.

2013: Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race Win

In 2013, Andrea Mura, the skipper of Vento di Sardegna ('Wind of Sardinia'), won the Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race.

2013: Cyclone Cleopatra hits Sardinia

In 2013, the island of Sardinia was hit by several cyclones, including Cyclone Cleopatra, which caused extreme rainfall.

2014: GDP in Sardinia

According to Eurostat, the 2014 nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of Sardinia was €33,356 million.

2015: Achievements of Dinamo Sassari

In 2015, Dinamo Sassari achieved the highest titles in Italian basketball, winning the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa, and the Italian basketball championship.

2016: Division into Provinces

Since 2016, Sardinia has been divided into four provinces (Nuoro, Oristano, Sassari, South Sardinia) and the metropolitan city of Cagliari.

2017: Two Handed Transatlantic Race win

In 2017, Andrea Mura, the skipper of Vento di Sardegna ('Wind of Sardinia'), won the Two Handed Transatlantic Race (Twostar) regatta.

2018: Gas pipeline operational

In 2018, small scale liquified natural gas terminals and a 404 km gas pipeline became operational in Sardinia.

2018: Drop in unemployment rate

In 2018, the unemployment rate in Sardinia dropped to 11.2%, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics.

2020: Port statistics

Based on passenger data between 2020 and 2024, Porto Torres is the largest port in Sardinia, while Olbia, Santa Teresa Gallura, and Palau are the most popular arrival ports.

April 2021: Reorganization of Sardinian administrative divisions

In April 2021, Sardinian administrative divisions were reorganized under Regional Law Nr. 7 of the Sardinian Regional Council, restoring former provinces and expanding the metropolitan city of Cagliari.

2021: Power generation capacity

As of 2021, Sardinia has 2 GigaWatts (GW) of thermal power plants, 1 GW each of wind and solar power, and over 450 MW of hydropower.

2021: Superyacht Regatta sponsorship

From 2021 onwards, the Superyacht Regatta is sponsored by Giorgio Armani.

2021: Luna Rossa Challenge Preparation

In 2021, Luna Rossa Challenge chose Cagliari as their preparation location for the 36th America's Cup, scheduled to take place in New Zealand.

March 2022: Constitutional Court Ruling

On March 12, 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, after the Italian government challenged the regional law.

April 2023: Amendment to the 2021 reform

On April 13, 2023, the regional council approved an amendment to the 2021 reform, defining the timeframe and manner of its implementation, with full implementation expected in 2024.

2023: Foreign national residents

In 2023, there were 50,211 foreign national residents in Sardinia, making up 3.2% of the total population.

2024: Port statistics

Based on passenger data between 2020 and 2024, Porto Torres is the largest port in Sardinia, while Olbia, Santa Teresa Gallura, and Palau are the most popular arrival ports.

2024: Implementation of administrative divisions

In April 2023, the regional council approved an amendment to the 2021 reform, defining the timeframe and manner of its implementation, which would see its full implementation in 2024.