Channel 5 whisks viewers away to the Mediterranean’s second-largest island this Friday with Sardinia: Jewel of the Med, airing at 7:00 PM. This travelogue skips the usual tourist traps, digging into the island’s unique history, its remarkably long-lived residents, and a conservation story that’s turned near-extinction into a wildlife triumph.
Recent digs at a Nuragic burial site have archaeologists buzzing. The discovery of several “Gigantes” statues adds new pieces to the puzzle of Sardinia’s ancient past, a history the program explores with on-the-ground footage and expert commentary. But history isn’t the only draw. Sardinia is a designated “blue zone,” home to some of the world’s oldest people. The documentary introduces the self-proclaimed “Youngsters of Ardalave,” a group of septuagenarian and octogenarian men whose secrets to a long life seem remarkably simple: wholesome food, an active outdoor lifestyle, and a fierce devotion to their community.
From ancient rituals to modern craftsmanship, Sardinia: Jewel of the Med finds the human stories behind the island’s enduring appeal. Meet Giancarlo, a jewelry maker keeping Sardinian wedding ring traditions alive, and the Scudu family, whose handmade culurgiones pasta keeps the island’s culinary heritage intact, one intricately folded dumpling at a time. Even the local wine industry faces new challenges, as a visit to the Pala Winery reveals the effects of climate change on Sardinian vineyards. And amidst it all, a conservation success story: the Sardinian Red Deer, whose numbers have rebounded from a mere 400 to over 15,000.
