Quartucciu

Quartucciu is a town in the Cagliari metropolitan area, between Quartu Sant'Elena, Selargius and the hills rising towards the Sette Fratelli. The name, little Quartu, recalls its closeness to its sister town and the Roman origin of both, linked to their distance from Karales along the road inland. Quartucciu keeps an old centre of Campidano courtyard houses, a farming tradition of vineyards and gardens and, above all, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent decades in southern Sardinia: the Pill'e Matta necropolis.

History

The area was inhabited in pre-Nuragic and Nuragic times, and in Punic and Roman times the plain was farmed and crossed by roads linking Karales to inland villages. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the Giudicato of Cagliari, in the curatoria of Campidano, and then passed to the Pisans and Aragonese. For centuries it was a small farming centre, with vineyards, olive groves and gardens. In the 20th century it was for a time merged with Quartu Sant'Elena before becoming independent again, and its population grew with the development of the Cagliari area.

The Pill'e Matta necropolis

In the early 2000s, during building work at Pill'e Matta, a vast necropolis came to light, used from the Punic period through Roman times and the Early Middle Ages. Archaeologists excavated hundreds of tombs with grave goods of great interest: pottery, coins, jewellery and above all many glass objects, including balsam flasks and cups of rare beauty. The necropolis tells of the life and beliefs of communities that lived on the plain for over a thousand years. Some of the finds are displayed in local museums.

The town

Quartucciu's old centre keeps Campidano courtyard houses of ladiri, with large arched gateways and inner courtyards. The parish church of San Giorgio Martire is the heart of the town, and nearby streets have small squares and other historic churches. Some traditional houses have been restored and host cultural events.

Nature

The Quartucciu area includes part of the Molentargius-Saline Nature Park, the wetland between Cagliari and Quartu where pink flamingos live and nest, and extends towards farmed hills and maquis rising to the Sette Fratelli. From town the Poetto beaches and the south-east coast are a few minutes away.

Festivals

The feast of San Giorgio, the patron, is held in spring with procession and popular celebrations. In summer there are religious feasts and food fairs with traditional costumes, launeddas and local food. In January the Sant'Antonio bonfires are lit.

Food

Quartucciu cooking is that of the Campidano of Cagliari: malloreddus, culurgiones, fregola, vegetable soups, roast meats and cheese. Sweets include pardulas, amaretti, pabassinas and gueffus. The wines are Monica, Nuragus, Nasco and Cannonau.

Getting there

Quartucciu is about 15 minutes from the centre of Cagliari and linked by urban buses. Elmas airport is about 20 minutes away. From here you easily reach Quartu Sant'Elena, Selargius, Sinnai, Maracalagonis and the coast of Villasimius.

What to see

• Necropolis of Pill'e Matta
• Giants' tomb of Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu
• Parish church of San Giorgio (16th century)
• Old town con le case in làdiri

Nearby beaches

• Poetto6 km

Nearby hikes

• Sella del Diavolo7 km
• Foresta dei Sette Fratelli21 km

Nearby towns

• Selargius · 1 km
• Quartu Sant'Elena · 2 km
• Monserrato · 3 km
• Settimo San Pietro · 4 km
• Sinnai · 5 km
• Maracalagonis · 5 km
• Cagliari · 7 km
• Sestu · 9 km

Sources: Grande Enciclopedia della Sardegna; ISTAT. Original texts by Gotosardinia.