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Calasetta
is a small town on the island of Sant'Antioco, connected to terra
firma by an isthmus and a bridge thought to have been built by the
Carthaginians. Its history has made it virtually unique, similar only
to that of Carloforte, on the island of San Pietro. In fact, if we
exclude prehistoric settlements and fortifications (like the Spanish
Tower dating to the seventeenth century), the establishment of modern-day
Calasetta can be dated very precisely: the year 1770. This was the
year that forty-eight Ligurian families came to Sant'Antioco after
asking Charles Emanuel, the king of the Two Sardinias, for permission
to colonise part of the island. They came from Tabarka, an island
on the coast of Tunisia. This original group was joined three years
later by about fifty families from the Piedmont area. The first few
years were difficult ones for this fledgling community: droughts,
disease and clashes between the two groups did not favour a peaceful
coexistence. Subsequently, the rivalries between the Tabarka and the
Piedmont groups were settled: the former devoted themselves almost
exclusively to fishing and the latter to agriculture, particularly
the cultivation of vines. The wildlife and landscape of the area are
also uncommon. Around Calasetta, visitors can see the nuraghi (Rassetto,
Scarperino, Acqua dolce, Bricchetto delle Piane), the domus de jana,
the natural caves of Sisineddu, megalithic structures, and the ancient
kilns for calcifying limestone. And they can also stop for a sip of
cool water from one of the four natural springs (s'acqua sa murta,
s'acqua su estiu, l'egua duse, miggia). From the sea, you can admire
the beaches and sandy coves that open out toward the sea, with its
lovely waters abounding in fish. Amidst these breathtaking natural
and historic sights, if you should happen to come to Calasetta on
August 15th you can add a traditional gourmet event to your agenda:
the Fish Festival. Visitors are offered outstanding fish and excellent
wine, almost as if to ratify the peace pact between the descendents
of the Tabarkan fishermen and the Piedmont winemakers.
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