Habitat by Renato Nieddu
SANTU ANTINU
The Sanctuary of Saint Constantine, located in the center of a vast natural amphitheater overlooking Lake Omodeo, consists of the church of the same name and a series of civil constructions known as muristenes. This complex, built on a Nuragic site, has evolved through various historical phases, demonstrating the layering of Christian rites over pagan ones. The earliest settlement dates back to the 7th century AD, and it was likely during this period that Byzantine monks constructed the first church and a few small muristenes around it. The initial Byzantine structure, possibly dedicated to the Madonna of Nordài, was rebuilt in 1789 and renovated in 1913 to commemorate the 16th centenary of the Edict of Milan. The complex, with its muristenes used by pilgrims who stay for the entire festival period, is enclosed within the courtyard of “sa corte,” accessible through two arched portals, and is considered one of the most characteristic Spanish-style religious complexes.
Within the area stands a Mother Mediterranean, a mammillated betile, which legend claims is a woman transformed into stone for cursing the saint. Although Saint Constantine was never canonized by the Catholic Church, he is venerated in both Eastern and Western traditions. In Sedilo, in particular, he is honored each year on July 6th and 7th with the Ardia, a wild horseback ride that some historians believe commemorates Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. The church, visited by the faithful year-round to seek blessings or fulfill vows, has walls adorned with ex-votos in gratitude to the saint. The origins of the Ardia and the devotion to Saint Constantine culminate in a celebration where the sacred and the profane merge, expressed in a collective ritual that captivates and deeply moves participants through the intense experience of the Ardia.
ILOI
The Archaeological Park of ILOI is situated within a vast area that, from the plateau, overlooks the wide valley of the Tirso River, now occupied by Lake Omodeo. It comprises a multi-lobed nuraghe surrounded by a village, a funerary area with “giants’ tombs” of the pillar type, and, on the side of the plateau, a large necropolis with domus de janas carved into the tuff rock. The archaeological complex is integrated into a natural and scenic environment of particular beauty, offering extensive views over the lake and featuring a diverse array of vegetation and fauna. The monuments—civil, funerary, and cultic in nature—scattered across the ILOI area span a long chronological period, from the late Neolithic (3000 BCE) to the Iron Age (1000 BCE), reflecting a remarkable pattern of settlement in this territory. The most iconic structure is the nuraghe, a truncated conical tower with two superimposed, dome-covered (tholos) chambers, later reinforced with walls connecting three additional towers located at the vertices of the perimeter. A short distance from the nuraghe, two collective burials known as “giants’ tombs” of a monumental type have been found, notable for their masterful craftsmanship and architectural precision.
SEDILO
Located in the heart of Sardinia, in the province of Oristano, it has a population of 2,200. Positioned close to the SS 131 highway, which quickly connects it to the island’s major towns, it rests on an extension of the Guilcer plateau that gently slopes down towards the wide Tirso plain, now filled by the lake, with the backdrop of the Barbagia and Barigadu mountains—a landscape of great scenic value due to its sweeping panoramas. The area is enriched by its history, the hospitality of the people, and the bounty of the countryside. The historic center is architecturally unique, with typical basalt houses. The town is also renowned for its livestock traders and horse trainers, its pastoral activities, and its traditional cheese, bread, and pastry production, as well as artisanal textile and leather craftsmanship.
Guiding and Tours – Excursions and Trekking Contact: +39 380 72 51 233 – renatonieddu@gmail.com