“Trachytes” from Sardinia: Geoheritage and Current Use

Sardinia's volcanic rocks, known as 'Trachytes of Sardinia,' exhibit diverse aesthetic qualities due to their varied colors, structures, and textures. These rocks, primarily dacites and rhyolites with subordinate andesites, have been historically significant in Sardinian architecture, dating back to prehistoric times and continuing through Roman and modern eras. The study explores the geoheritage value of these trachytes, detailing their geological-petrographic framework, historical uses, and current quarrying practices. It highlights their presence in notable structures such as nuraghi, domus de janas, and churches, while also analyzing production methods and suggesting strategies to enhance geotourism in the region.

Careddu, N., & Grillo, S. M. (2019). “Trachytes” from Sardinia: Geoheritage and Current Use. Sustainability, 11(13), 3706. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133706