Sant'Antioco, Ancient coastal municipality on Sant'Antioco Island, Sardinia, Italy
Sant'Antioco is a coastal municipality on an island in southwestern Sardinia, connected to the mainland by a modern bridge. The area spans about 109 square kilometers and includes several beaches as well as a remarkable basilica with ancient underground chambers beneath it.
The settlement was founded by Phoenicians as Sulky and later became a Carthaginian colony before the Romans renamed it Sulci. The Roman city became an important trading center, and traces of these early periods remain visible today.
The place takes its name from Saint Antiochius, an early Christian martyr whose veneration still shapes local religious life. The underground catacombs beneath the basilica show how believers in the early centuries buried their dead and found refuge during times of danger.
The best time to visit is from May through September, when water temperatures are pleasant and beach activities are available. The location is easily accessible via the road bridge, and there is adequate parking near the beaches.
Every year between May and June, the mattanza takes place here, an ancient fishing event where tuna are caught using traditional methods practiced for centuries. This spectacle brings together fishermen, visitors, and locals in a ritual that shows the connection between people and the sea.
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