Sardara

Population: 5,000

Sardara is an agricultural and commercial town situated in the heart of the Campidano region. It is noted for its thermal springs, but it also offers visitors various historical, archaeological and nature itineraries.

The territory has been inhabited by man since ancient times and testimony to this can be seen in the Sacred Well of S.Anastasia, which dates back to the IX-VIII centuries BC. Further testimony to this ancient past comes from the Roman period and visitors can admire the Neapolitan bathing complex (II century AD.) and the Itinerarium Antonini (III century AD), in proximity of which a large town sprang up and remained inhabited right up until Medieval times.
The settlement developed in the Medieval period and evidence from this important phase in the town's history is the Castle of Monreale.

The area is particularly interesting from an archaeological point of view because it abounds in the remains of numerous Nuraghi, but above all because of the shrine of the Sacred Well of S. Anastasia.

The latter was, in fact, a temple built in the form of a well and is situated in the heart of the town. It was built in dark basalt and blocks of white limestone and is twelve metres long with a flight of twelve steps which lead to the well. The water inside the well comes from the nearby sacred spring known as "Funtana de Is Dolus".

Excavation work has uncovered a variety of materials, ceramics of various geometric forms, a number of bronzes, among which a miniature boat, necklaces and other objects.

We particularly recommend the following:

• The Archaeological Museum of "Villa Abbas"
  The museum bears witness to over 5,000 years of history. Inside visitors can admire bronzes from the S. Anastasia Well and reconstructions of the Roman tombs of "Terr 'e Cresia". They are also rewarded with an insight into the daily lives of the inhabitants of the Castle in times gone by.
  
  
  
• The Parish Church of La Beata Vergine Assunta (XVII century)
  
  
  
• The Church of Sant'Anastasia
  The church is situated on the site of the Sant'Anastasia Nuragic temple, which is in the form of a well (IX century BC).
  Important remains were found inside the church, including various votive offerings, but above all ceramics dating back to about the VIII century BC, at present exhibited in the Museo Archeologico in Cagliari.
  
  
  
• The Church of Santa Maria de Is Acquas
  The church is situated outside the town, near the ancient baths of Thermae Neapolitanae. The spring waters are still used today and, in fact, a modern Health Farm, the largest in Sardinia, is located near these ancient baths.
  
  
  
• The Church of San Gregorio (XIV century)
  The church was built in the fourteenth century and it stands in the higher part of the town. It is a typical example of the transitional period from Romanesque to Gothic style.
  

The southern part is 200 m. long, whilst the barracks and storage barns are situated on the east-facing side, together with numerous cisterns, which guaranteed the castle a remarkable supply of water.
Two external staircases lead to the upper floors.

It is believed that part of the castle dates back to the XI century and that it was originally a residential dwelling, then a military base, and finally a prison.
Important documents, dating back to the XIV century, found inside the castle demonstrate that in 1324 it was used as a royal residence.

Like all towns and villages in Sardinia, Sardara boasts a rich programme of local feasts and festivals:

• S. Antonio - 13 June.
  
  
• San Gregorio Magno - 1st Sunday in September.
  
  
• Santa Maria de Is Acquas - penultimate Monday in September.
  The celebrations last four days and the religious festivities are accompanied by folk groups, music and horse riding displays.
  During the celebrations visitors get the chance to sample the delicious food and wine from the area.