S'archittu
The Charm of S'Archittu
S'Archittu is a small and charming seaside hamlet located in the municipality of Cuglieri, in the province of Oristano, overlooking the crystal-clear sea of the western coast of Sardinia. Bordering on the hamlet of Torre del Pozzo, S'Archittu closes to the north the bay of Is Arenas. Its name derives from the homonymous natural rock arch that overlooks the nearby cove and represents one of the most important tourist attractions in the area.
Origin of the name
The S'Archittu arch, about 15 meters high and formed by the marine erosion of an ancient cave, is the place where visitors love to dive during the summer months. In 2001, it even hosted the High Diving World Championship. The arch is also part of a natural monument, called the "Monumento Naturale S'Archittu di Santa Caterina," established by the Ministry of the Environment and Protection of the Territory and Sea in 1995.
Archaeology
S'Archittu is located in an area rich in history. In the vicinity of this hamlet, in fact, is the archaeological site of Cornus, where the final events of the rebellion of Ampsicora took place during the second Punic War. In addition, studies hypothesize that the port of the city was located in the area of the S'Archittu arch.
Film and literature
The beauty of S'Archittu has attracted the attention of numerous filmmakers and writers. In fact, several films have been shot here, including Lina Wertmüller's "Notte d'estate con profilo greco, occhi a mandorla e odore di basilico" in 1986 and Jason Baffa's "Bella Vita" in 2014. In addition, the hamlet was also chosen as the setting for the novel "Sardinia Blues" by Flavio Soriga.
Events
S'Archittu is also known for its traditional events. On January 17, for the feast of Saint Anthony Abbot, a large bonfire is organized. During the summer months, instead, there are events promoting tourism and entertainment such as "Zippole e musica" and "Artigiandando." The latter is an important event where visitors can admire the craft and typical products of Cuglieri, neighboring municipalities, and other parts of Sardinia. There are also concerts by local and non-local folk artists and groups.
Photo Gallery
To fully appreciate the beauty of S'Archittu, it is possible to admire some pictures of the hamlet taken during a visit to the area.
Notes
The municipality of Cuglieri publishes updated information on events, attractions, and accommodation options in the area on its official website.
Other projects
Further information on the natural and archaeological heritage of the area is available on the websites of the Sardinia Region and the Ministry of Culture.
External links
For those wishing to plan a holiday in S'Archittu, the Booking.com website offers several accommodation options nearby. In addition, it is possible to reach the location by sea thanks to the services offered by the navigation companies to Sardinia.
