Sant'Antioco is the main community of the island with the same name, which composes, along with St. Peter's, the archipelago of Sulcis. The island is connected to the mainland by an isthmus artificial of about 3 km, existing since Roman times. The territory has a predominantly rocky and presents a single peak, Mount Perdas, where we can enjoy a wonderful panorama. The village of Sant'Antioco lies at the foot of a hill that descend gently toward the sea, on the eastern part of the island.
The first urban center was founded by the Phoenicians in 750 BC, and for a long time it was an important port where pass the precious minerals that were mined in this area of Sardinia. Development continued even during the Roman Empire, as give evidence the necropolis and the amphitheatre dating to the second century AD, still visible today. In medieval times the frequent pirate raids caused depopulation of the island. Only in 1700 the village returned to be inhabited. Nowaday Sant'Antioco is a nice seaside locality, which boasts interesting historical monuments and picturesque homes with wrought iron balconies.
At the top of the village, on a rocky hill, there are the Castle Savoy and the archaeological area of Punic era. In the old town is, however, the Basilica of Sant'Antioco, built in the sixth century and then amended around thousand year. Under the church we can visit the catacombs, where it would be buried the patron saint of the island. Also worth visiting the Archaeological Museum, which houses many exhibits of Punic and Roman times, including a magnificent mosaic of the second century. The island also offers a series of small bays and beaches with a deep blue sea.
