"Porto Rotondo is something else." It might be a slogan, but after nine years, Leonardo Salvemini, lawyer and professor of administrative law, can no longer be a candidate for the presidency of the Consortium, which is up for election in a few days and includes some illustrious names. Rather, it's a profound conviction that unites him with many true Porto Rotondo residents, rooted in an all-Italian history that has seen the queens of high society, the worlds of film and art, politics, and international diplomacy. Its value lies in the beauty, which transcends the sea, the art, and the architectural harmony that make the village founded by Luigi and Nicolò Donà dalle Rose in 1964 a unique place. "Porto Rotondo has everything it needs to play a leading role," says Salvemini: "If you want to buy a summer home in Sardinia, there are many options. But here, the choice was motivated primarily by the presence of the theater, art, and the works of Chapalain along the promenade, which encourage investment in Porto Rotondo. This is the added value that distinguishes it from other places. I took the liberty of raising awareness among the regional authorities, launching some ideas for a law that promotes villages that integrate tourism and artistic heritage, as is being done in Lombardy. The Donà family had a brilliant idea when they founded this village for precisely this reason." The signatures of Ceroli and Cascella, in the church, the theater, the bell tower, and the square, tell the story of why Porto Rotondo, or at least its historic center, is something else.

The Consortium

There's been great excitement in the village these days over the renewal of the governance of the Consortium, which, similar to the Costa Smeralda consortium, is a super-condominium uniting 2,500 members, from the Berlusconi family (still technically owners) to the Molinas family, from the historic Porto Rotondini to the large condominiums. The meeting has been called for the morning of July 11th in Olbia. The consortium led by Rafael Torres and the very young Edoardo Donà dalle Rose has publicly presented itself, but it won't be the only one.

"In these elections," Salvemini comments, "I see a lot of enthusiasm. Some outgoing councilors are participating, and there are new names. I hope whoever wins will maintain continuity." The outgoing president's assessment is positive: "It was a very wonderful experience. I received the most votes at the assembly, and this has placed a great deal of responsibility on me. I believe the Consortium has achieved a great deal over the years, and I thank the councilors who have supported me. We have made many improvements, from the sports center to the health center; we have improved services, waste collection, and green space management. I believe the Consortium is a valid model because it allows for greater attention, in collaboration with the Municipality, and is a tool for enhancing the village. I am happy to pay my consortium fees because it represents a greater commitment to enhancing these unique areas."

Villa Certosa

A new transformation looms in the village's future, with the transfer of Villa Certosa from the Berlusconi family to the Al Thani family, with the proposal to transform it into a super-luxury resort. "Villa Certosa lends itself to endless design solutions. I was fortunate enough to visit it, and it's a property managed with obsessive attention to tree species, designed to avoid wasting water resources. I was truly impressed, but then again, Silvio Berlusconi was an incredible figure who benefited Italy. Regarding the transformation into a resort, I don't have any economic or financial data to prove its sustainability, although those who proposed the proposal certainly have it; the public authorities will evaluate it. We welcome the highly prestigious Al Thani family because they can only do well. In Porto Rotondo, we already have top-quality infrastructure; I'm thinking of the Molinas family's investments with their presence in the port and at the San Marco. I think it's a great moment."

The environment

The recent protests over Cala Finanza mark—beyond any opinions on the case—a turning point in public attention to investments.

"Movements are the salt of democracy, even when they act inappropriately," explains Salvemini, who also works professionally on environmental issues: "In Sardinia and throughout Europe, there's a different atmosphere; the landscape plan must take into account the European regulation on land use. This is a time of great attention; there are extremely sensitive and responsible issues on the table, including their generational impact. We govern times that don't allow us to be superficial at any level."

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