Tempio Pausania

Tempio Pausania (Italian pronunciation: [ˈtɛmpjo pauˈzaːnja] ^ⓘ; Gallurese: Tèmpiu) is a town and comune, which, along with Olbia, is a co-capital of the province of Gallura North-East Sardinia, Sardinia, Italy. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").^[2] It has 13,003 inhabitants.^[1]

Tempio Pausania Tèmpiu (Gallurese)
Comune
Città di Tempio Pausania
View of Tempio Pausania
Coat of arms
Tempio Pausania Location of Tempio Pausania in Sardinia
Coordinates: 40°54′N 09°06′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Province	Gallura North-East Sardinia
Frazioni	Bassacutena, Nuchis, San Pasquale
Government
• Mayor	Andrea Biancareddu (Democratic Party)
Area
• Total	210.82 km2 (81.40 sq mi)
Elevation	566 m (1,857 ft)
Population  (2025)[1]
• Total	13,003
• Density	61.678/km2 (159.75/sq mi)
Demonym	Tempiesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	07029
Dialing code	079
Patron saint	St. Paul of Thebes
Saint day	August 30
Website	Official website

History

Cultural and delegated administrative centre of the Gallura sub-region, Tempio has an ancient history. Typical granite-stone architecture of the historical centre presents many similarities with southern Corsican towns.

From 2005 to 2016 it was the co-capital of the province of Olbia-Tempio together with Olbia, with which it is also now the co-capital of the province of Gallura North-East Sardinia.

Demographics

As of 2025, there are 13,003 people residing in Tempio Pausania, of whom 49.9% are male and 50.1% are female. Minors make up 11.6% of the population, and pensioners make up 27.0%. This compares with the Italian average of 14.9% minors and 24.7% pensioners.^[1]

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1861 4,791 —     1871 4,885 +2.0% 1881 5,573 +14.1% 1901 6,748 +21.1% 1911 6,826 +1.2% 1921 7,304 +7.0% 1931 8,357 +14.4% 1936 8,886 +6.3%	Year Pop. ±% 1951 9,882 +11.2% 1961 11,240 +13.7% 1971 11,779 +4.8% 1981 13,426 +14.0% 1991 13,899 +3.5% 2001 13,992 +0.7% 2011 13,946 −0.3% 2021 13,329 −4.4%
Source: ISTAT[3][4]

Climate

Climate data for Tempio Pausania (1981–2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	9.0 (48.2)	9.7 (49.5)	12.6 (54.7)	15.6 (60.1)	21.2 (70.2)	25.9 (78.6)	30.0 (86.0)	29.7 (85.5)	24.6 (76.3)	20.1 (68.2)	13.7 (56.7)	10.1 (50.2)	18.5 (65.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	6.2 (43.2)	6.5 (43.7)	8.9 (48.0)	11.3 (52.3)	16.2 (61.2)	20.3 (68.5)	24.0 (75.2)	24.0 (75.2)	19.7 (67.5)	16.0 (60.8)	10.6 (51.1)	7.4 (45.3)	14.3 (57.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	3.4 (38.1)	3.3 (37.9)	5.1 (41.2)	6.9 (44.4)	11.1 (52.0)	14.6 (58.3)	18.0 (64.4)	18.2 (64.8)	14.7 (58.5)	11.8 (53.2)	7.4 (45.3)	4.7 (40.5)	9.9 (49.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	96.5 (3.80)	74.3 (2.93)	77.1 (3.04)	83.6 (3.29)	61.0 (2.40)	27.7 (1.09)	9.6 (0.38)	26.1 (1.03)	62.2 (2.45)	88.7 (3.49)	135.2 (5.32)	140.0 (5.51)	882 (34.73)
Source: Sistema nazionale protezione ambiente[5]

Main sights

Cathedral

Cloister of the Scolopi

• Historical centre of the town, built in grey granite blocks (mainly 18th century); particularly Corso Matteotti, via Roma (Carrera Longa, Lu Runzatu, Lu Pultali), Piazza d'Italia (Piazza di l'Ara), Parco delle Rimembranze, Fonte Nuova (Funtana Noa) and Parco di San Lorenzo, via Mannu (ex via dei Nobili or dei Cavalieri)
• Nuraghe Maiori (Naracu Maiori)
• Nuraghe Polcu (Naracu Polcu)
• Ruins of Palace of Giudice Nino Visconti di Gallura (1200)
• San Pietro (Santu Petru) Cathedral;
• Santa Croce Church;
• Oratorio del Rosario (13th–14th century);
• Palazzo Villamarina-Pes (17th century);
• Palazzo degli Scolopi, (17th century), actually Provincial offices;
• Purgatorio (Lu Pulgatoriu) Church (17th century)
• Fonti di Rinagghju
• Monte Limbara, elevation 1,359 metres (4,459 ft), 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of the town.

Transport

Tempio Pausania has national roads with Sassari (SS 672), Olbia (SS127) and Palau (SS133). There is a railway station on the narrow gauge Sassari to Palau line, with occasional tourist train services run by Trenino Verde.

See also

• Diocese of Ampurias
• Francesco Menzio