“The princess of Navarra built the Nascar temple”. So says the ancient document found by the Porcu sisters during their research on the history of the small enclave of Santa Maria Navarrese. Nascar like “nasco”, a grape from southern Sardinia, perfect in describing a structure that served as a granary, a place for drying and for fermentation of must. Or “nasca”, the local name of a succulent plant that rises among the arid rocks of the Sardinian east coast. But "nascar", in the ancient Mozarabic also means "we drink", and in the small church built by the princess of Navarre after the shipwreck that brought her to safety, a silver heart engraved in Mozarabic that served as a reliquary was found. "We like all three hypotheses, they all tell the essence of this place, the deep story on which it rests", explain the Porcu sisters, who have been managing the Hotel since 2008, a structure built in front of the ancient church and the millenary olive trees, few steps away from the beach where the princess found safety.

The granary was purchased in 1991 by the parents of Claudia, Loreta, Rimedia and Stefania, with the specific intent of bringing them back to their homeland, as all four were employed abroad, working in the tourism sector and engaged in promoting Sardinia. The call of the Porcu couple had the desired effect. Everyone participated in the transformation of the granary into a hotel, each with their own style. The result is that the Nascar is a hotel that seeks to combine authenticity with openness to international tourism.

"We have always tried to think of his life as in harmony with the needs of the environment. We had much more than the requisites necessary to obtain the Ecolabel certification. We simply weren't aware of it. Sustainability was natural for us”, says Stefania. The building, erected in local granite, has been renovated respecting the old aesthetics and functions, according to an original concept that takes inspiration from the natural environment and the history of the area. Materials were chosen according to their low impact on the natural context. This is part of a general idea that accompanies all the activities and services, respect for the environment and the identity of the place. The restoration is the result of a precious craftsmanship carried out by Sardinian artists, of accuracy for the details: stone, juniper, terracotta, Sardinian ceramics, wrought iron and linen. The colors of the sea and the scents of the earth pervade the rooms, between the warmth of the rustic and the elegance of simplicity.

The restaurant (40 seats) offers only fresh Sardinian and seasonal products, promoting the local agri-food sector with a preference for the short supply chain. The Nascar has eliminated all disposables, all unnecessary items and services such as slippers and conditioner packs in the rooms. “We feared that this could upset some of our customers, but then we realized that the value of sustainability is more widespread than we think. All our customers have welcomed the Nascar philosophy”, continues Stefania.

"A philosophy, the one that sees community in harmony with the environment, which for Ogliastra comes from a deep history. Some of the longest-lived municipalities in the world have been registered here. We are at the center of the famous "Blue Zone", identified more than twenty years ago by Gianni Pes, physician and professor at the University of Sassari. Long walks in the mountains, the sea, healthy food, slow time, the tight web of solidarity: Ogliastra is in the company of the island of Okinawa in Japan, of Nicoya in Costa Rica and the Greek island of Ikaria. Claudia Porcu, creator of the Blue Zone project, actively participated in the research in Sardinia, proposing to prof. Pes a demographic survey that would allow the municipalities to be certified. This is how Baunei, Talana, Villagrande, Urzulei and Seulo turned out to be "blue zones", communities characterized by high longevity. "Now the project is extended to the whole Sardinia. The blue zone is the symbol of a territory that wants to keep a long and healthy life in balance with economic prosperity, traditions and sustainable future. Nascar is Blue Zone certified because it fully reflects this lifestyle and philosophy”