Calasetta and Sant’Antioco Island
Overview of Calasetta
Calasetta (Cala Seda in Sardinian) is the second-largest town on Sant’Antioco Island. Known as La
Bianca (“The White Town”) for its lime-washed low-rise houses, it was designed on a grid pattern
by military engineer Pietro Belly. The local population speaks Tabarchino, an archaic Ligurian
dialect.
Its economy relies on seaside tourism, fishing, and viticulture—notably producing Carignano del
Sulcis wine and traditional Pilau (a handmade fregula dish served with a rich crustacean sauce).
Origins & History: In 1542, Ligurian fishermen from Pegli settled on Tabarka island off the coast of
Tunisia to harvest coral. Facing political instability in 1738, these Tabarchini families relocated to
San Pietro Island (founding Carloforte) and later, in 1770, settled Calasetta under the sponsorship
of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. They were joined in 1773 by Piedmontese farming
families, resulting in a dual fishing and agricultural tradition.
Key Sites & Coastal Highlights:
• Savoia Tower (Torre di Calasetta): A 20-meter-high coastal watchtower built by Savoyard
engineers in 1756 from volcanic rock to defend the strait.
• Parish Church of San Maurizio Martire: Completed in 1839 in Piemontese Baroque style
with oriental influences, featuring twin minaret-like bell towers and a maiolica-tiled central
dome.
• MACC (Museum of Contemporary Art): Located in a converted former slaughterhouse,
displaying abstract, geometric, and kinetic artwork donated by painter Ermanno Leinardi.
• Sottotorre & Le Saline Beaches: Sottotorre is a white-sand town beach directly below the
Savoyard tower. Le Saline features fine white sand backed by dunes, pine woods, and the
salt pans (Saline ovest) where wild pink flamingos gather.
• Spiaggia Grande & Punta Maggiore Tonnara: Spiaggia Grande is an expansive crescent
beach framed by junipers. Nearby at Punta Maggiore stand the restored buildings of a 19th
century tuna processing facility (Tonnara).
• Mangiabarche Reef & Lighthouse: A rugged rocky coastline facing the Mangiabarche
solitary lighthouse (built c. 1935), erected on an isolated sea rock to warn vessels of
dangerous reefs and currents.
• Nido dei Passeri: A sheer 20-meter volcanic sea cliff featuring wind-sculpted rock formations
and the nearby remnants of a single-tower nuraghe.