San Basilio
San Basilio: a journey through history
San Basilio, or "Santu 'Asili 'e Monti" in Sardinian language, is an Italian municipality of 1,188 inhabitants located in the province of South Sardinia. The highest point is called "Pitz' 'e Pranu" and there is a vast pine park with the church of Santa Barbara.
According to legend, the name of the town was given by Byzantine monks, followers of Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea, who built a monastery using the Roman baths. In addition, there are numerous springs in the area, and before the birth of the town, San Basilio was an important center even during the Nuragic period.
During the Middle Ages, San Basilio was known as "Sanctu Basili de Montis" and belonged to the "Curatoria della Trexenta" of the Giudicato di Cagliari. After the downfall of the giudicato, it passed under the dominion of the Republic of Pisa and later, around 1324, under that of the Crown of Aragon. In the Aragonese period, it was incorporated into the county of Villasor, a fief of the Alagón. After the county was transformed into a marquisate, San Basilio became part of the latter, a fief of the same Alagón, until it was redeemed by the Da Silva Alagon in 1839 with the suppression of the feudal system.
In the 16th century, construction of the parish church of San Pietro Apostolo began, which was completed at the beginning of the 18th century. In May of 1928, the municipality of San Basilio was incorporated into the municipality of Goni, but was re-established in 1945. In 2016, with regional law no. 2, it passed from the province of Cagliari to the province of South Sardinia.
Symbols of San Basilio
The coat of arms and banner of the municipality of San Basilio, granted by decree of the president of the Republic on July 28, 2016, display a split flag of yellow and green.
Monuments and places of interest in San Basilio
The town of San Basilio has numerous monuments and places of interest that are worth visiting. One of the most significant symbols of the municipality is the iron cross, called "Sa Ruxi de Ferru", located in the city center.
The Nuraghe tower with a simple tholos interior, Perdu Molas or Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu, is another important monument. There are also two sacred Nuragic wells, a Tomb of the Giants of Minza Piseddu, and the Roman Thermal Complex.
The most important artistic constructions of the town are the parish church of San Pietro Apostolo and the church of San Basilio, surrounded by a thermal complex. In the past, there was also a monastery, which no longer exists. Other important buildings and monuments in San Basilio include the former town hall and the monument to the fallen in war.
The Parish of San Pietro Apostolo, built between 1590 and 1700, is one of the main landmarks of the city, dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle. Information regarding it is scarce due to a fire that destroyed the parish archives.
Conclusions
San Basilio is a very interesting town from a historical and architectural point of view. Through the visit of its monuments and places of interest, it is possible to discover the beauty of Sardinia and its millennial history.
