The riches of Quartu Sant'Elena

A land to be discovered: a place of legends of Saracen pirates and treasures, but also of beaches with crystal clear waters. Quartu Sant'Elena is so called precisely because it is located at the fourth mile on the Roman road that went from Cagliari to Porto Torres. The place has 38 nuragic constructions among which the main one is the nuraghe Diana, dating back to the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. A social cellar was recently opened where the main production is that of Malvasia, a white dessert wine. Furthermore we find a golf club immersed in a typical scenery for its colors and smells. Sardinian beaches, famous for their beauty, have water ranging from green to turquoise; a part of the coasts have been dedicated to dogs and their owners. A very important area is that of Cala Regina, on whose cliff stands a Saracen watchtower undisturbed. In July 2006 the beaches of the island were the protagonist of an exceptional event: for the first time the Caretta Caretta turtle deposited its eggs among the white sands typical of Quartu. There are not only beaches though: a few kilometers from the city is the artificial basin of Lake Sirimbizzi where you can take long walks, on foot or by bicycle, or have fun with motocross. To the west is the Molentargius pond: home to cormorants, kingfishers, pink flamingos and other protected species. Since the 90s the latter has begun to nest in the Molentargius pond as it finds a very important component for its nutrition in its waters. To the east, however, we find the Monte dei 7 Fratelli, an ideal place for trekking and mountain biking excursions. Here it is possible to observe different species: the Sardinian deer, present in large numbers, the wild cat, the fallow deer, the mouflon and the golden eagle. In the city there are two museums: the Sa Dome Farra (literally the house of flour) and the Cycle of life. Inside there are typical houses of a few centuries ago, the life of the peasants of that time, customs and traditions. In the month of July, in the city, an event called Sciampitta is organized by a folkloristic group. In addition, another important festival, which takes place from 11 to 16 September, is that of Sant'Elena empress: a religious procession and entertainment of various kinds takes place.