Things to do in Nuxis
Nuxis, Sardinia: the Byzantine church of Sant'Elia di Tattinu, the Nuragic sacred well, rock-cut tombs, mining landscapes and black marble.
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Nuxis is a small municipality in the Sulcis, in south-west Sardinia, scattered across hills, valleys and rural hamlets such as Acquacadda. Here the sacred spans millennia: in the same Tattinu valley stand a Nuragic sacred well and one of the island's oldest churches, Sant'Elia. It's a place for lovers of archaeology, silence and mining landscapes, far from the busy routes.
What to see in Nuxis
Church of Sant'Elia di Tattinu
Built around the year 1000, in the Byzantine period, this small country church measures about ten metres by nine and has a Greek-cross plan with equal arms and a central dome. The original dome collapsed in 1909 and was rebuilt; the façade has a lintelled doorway and a small bell gable. It is considered one of Sardinia's oldest Christian sanctuaries.
Tattinu sacred well
Nearby is a Nuragic temple devoted to the cult of water, with its village, dating to the 11th century BC. A flight of 28 steps leads down to the spring; many Late Bronze Age pottery offerings have been found here.
Necropolis and domus de janas
At Acquacadda (S'Acqua Cadda, "hot water") there is a necropolis of the Monte Claro culture; more domus de janas, rock-cut tombs, lie at Is Pillonis and Pranedda.
Things to do in Nuxis
The area invites walks and hikes among hills and old mining sites such as Bau Pressiu and Monte Tamara, where Nuxis's rare black marble is quarried. With a guide you can combine Tattinu, Montessu and the Is Zuddas caves in a single day. Take a look at the experiences from local operators below.
History
Inhabited since the Neolithic and in the Nuragic age, in the Middle Ages the area was part of the Giudicato of Cagliari. After 1258 it passed to Ugolino della Gherardesca, then to Pisa and the Aragonese. By the late 14th century it was deserted, and it was resettled in the 1700s. Nuxis became an independent municipality in 1957, separating from Santadi.
What to eat and buy
Farming and herding provide aged cheeses, olive oil and Sulcis wine. Local crafts include weaving, woven baskets, knives and traditional musical instruments; the black marble from the Tamara quarries is a local speciality.
Festivals and traditions
The feast of Sant'Elia is the most heartfelt moment, drawing devotees to the little church of Tattinu, the village's spiritual landmark for nearly a thousand years.
Nearby
- Santadi and the Is Zuddas caves, about 10 minutes away.
- Montessu necropolis in Villaperuccio, about 15 minutes away.
- Rosas mining village in Narcao, about 20 minutes away.
- Porto Pino, the nearest sea, about 40 minutes away.
Getting there and when to go
From Cagliari-Elmas airport, Nuxis is about 50 minutes by car via the SS 130 to Siliqua and then the SS 293. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking and the open-air sites.
FAQ
What can you see in Nuxis in a short time?
The church of Sant'Elia and the Tattinu sacred well, close to each other: a couple of hours is enough.
Is Nuxis by the sea?
No, it's inland; the Gulf of Palmas beaches are about 40 minutes by car.
