Paulilatino: Nuraghes, Santa Cristina and Sardinian Traditions
Accommodation in Paulilatino
Paulilatino combines an exceptional density of Nuragic remains with living religious traditions and a distinctive food culture. Santa Cristina is the focal point for planning your trip: here, prehistoric architecture, a rural church and the history of Sardinian pilgrimage communities come together. At the same time, Paulilatino occupies the southern part of the basalt plateau of Abbasanta and has 110 Nuragic archaeological sites.
Santa Cristina: Sacred Well and Millennia-Old Architecture
The temple with the sacred well of Santa Cristina dates from the 12th century BC. The Santa Cristina archaeological park includes a Nuragic sacred well with a meeting hut, an enclosure and smaller huts. The well itself consists of a vestibule, a staircase and a chamber with a tholos vault; it is surrounded by a sacred keyhole-shaped enclosure. It is precisely this combination of clear geometry, underground architecture and sacred use that makes Santa Cristina an important focus for anyone interested in Sardinia's Nuragic past.
The site's later history is also visible. The rural church of Santa Cristina was built around the 13th century by Camaldolese Benedictine monks. A path leads from the church to the simple, circular Nuraghe Santa Cristina, approximately 50 metres away, with a single tower dating from the 16th century BC. The Palazzo Atzori Museum is open daily from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:30.
Nuragic Landscape and Routes to Goronna
Another notable site is the archaeological site of Goronna. It is a necropolis with four or possibly five giants' tombs. Two of the tombs, with arched stelae, are still in good condition. To reach them, take the SS 131 exit for Paulilatino, follow the SP towards Bonarcado for approximately 1.7 kilometres to a lay-by, and then take a footpath up onto the basalt plateau. The stated distance is only an approximate guide.
The Nuraghe Lugherras reveals another historical layer: during the Punic-Roman period, it was converted into a sanctuary dedicated to the fertility goddesses Demeter and Kore. Paulilatino thus shows how different religious ideas found new forms of expression at sites that already existed, without the older structures losing their importance as archaeological evidence.
Pilgrimage Traditions and Festivals
Santa Cristina is shaped by more than its prehistoric structures. The courtyard of the Cumbessias served as a communal space where pilgrims shared meals, songs and prayers. During the festival periods in May and October, the Cumbessias are reopened by their owners or by worshippers. The 36 Muristenes next to Santa Cristina continue to accommodate pilgrims during the novenas.
The festival in honour of Saint Cristina takes place on the second Sunday in May. This fixed calendar date is particularly relevant for planning your trip if you would like to combine Paulilatino with religious traditions and the seasonal rhythm of the place. At the equinoxes in March and September, sunlight illuminates the bottom of the well at Santa Cristina through the stairwell down to the water.
Local Specialities from Paulilatino
The distinctive character of the area is also reflected in its cuisine. Dairy products associated with Paulilatino include Caciotta, Dolce Paulese and Musinau, a type of pecorino cheese. Among the traditional breads from Paulilatino, Su coccoi de tzicchi is associated with everyday life, while Su lazzaru is reserved for feast days. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for a trip to Sardinia, these archaeological, religious and culinary highlights can help you set the desired pace for your stay in Paulilatino.
Further Destinations in the Area
For further planning of your Sardinia trip, you can also include Oristano, S'archittu, Torre Del Pozzo, Bonarcado, Solarussa, Magomadas, Siamaggiore and Allai.
For the higher-level travel overview: Oristano.
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