A tribute to the vision (of Aga Khan IV) that transformed Gallura into one of the world’s most renowned destinations.
Sardinia, Italy: Porto Cervo has gained a new landmark honoring one of the most influential figures in Sardinia’s modern history. The Municipality of Arzachena officially inaugurated a square dedicated to Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, founder of Costa Smeralda, and unveiled a commemorative statue in his memory, marking more than six decades since he transformed an untouched stretch of Gallura into one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations.
The ceremony’s guest of honor was His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, son of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, who was welcomed by Arzachena Mayor Roberto Ragnedda. Sardinia Regional President Alessandra Todde and senior civil and military officials also attended.
Addressing the gathering, Prince Rahim Aga Khan said a public square serves as a place of gathering, remembrance, and community, and that linking his father’s name to the space would weave his memory into Porto Cervo itself — its people, architecture, landscape, and sea. He said his family was deeply grateful for the tribute.
He added that his father was often called a visionary, and that this stretch of Sardinian coast was among the clearest expressions of that vision — not just in what was built, but in the spirit behind it. When his father first encountered the region, Prince Rahim said, he recognized the value of its granite rocks, clear waters, hills, coves, and light, and resolved to develop the area in keeping with its natural character rather than at its expense. He said his father would have been moved by the gesture from Arzachena and the people of Sardinia.
Regional President Alessandra Todde also paid tribute, describing Aga Khan IV as someone who envisioned Sardinia’s future long before it seemed attainable. She said naming the square in his honor recognized a man who saw Gallura not merely as a place of natural beauty, but as a heritage to be developed with respect, intelligence, and long-term vision.
Mayor Ragnedda pointed to the more than 60-year relationship between the Aga Khan family and Arzachena, calling it a bond that has shaped the island’s contemporary history. He said welcoming Prince Rahim was not simply a ceremonial honor, but a renewal of mutual respect between the family and the community.
The event closed with a performance by internationally acclaimed Italian violinist Anna Tifu.