San Basilio: Thermal Baths, Churches and Sardinian Traditions

San Basilio brings together the remains of Roman thermal baths, religious buildings from different centuries and the Sardinia Radio Telescope. Traditional crafts and forests of holm oaks and oaks complete the picture. If you are looking for a hotel in San Basilio, your choice of travel dates may depend on whether you are interested in archaeology and churches, a route through the countryside or a festival. The following topics offer some specific pointers.

Thermal baths and churches from different eras

In San Basilio, the remains of the Roman thermal baths lie below and around the Church of San Basilio. The complex dates from the 2nd century AD and originally comprised a frigidarium, a tepidarium, a caldarium and a laconicum. The location and names of the rooms offer different insights into the same complex: they place the remains at the church and describe the baths’ original layout.

The parish church of San Pietro Apostolo was built between 1593 and 1723. The Byzantine Church of San Basilio Magno was built by Basilian monks in the 12th century; its front façade dates from the 16th century. A church dedicated to Saint Sebastian also most likely dates from the 12th century. The remains of the rural Church of San Sebastiano Martire are located on a rocky spur in the Gennas area. Archival documents identify this place as the town’s first settlement.

The dates given for the churches span from the probable 12th-century dating to the construction of the parish church between 1593 and 1723. Together with the thermal baths from the 2nd century AD, they provide a broad timespan for the history of the local buildings.

Countryside and Sardinia Radio Telescope

The countryside around San Basilio includes forests of holm oaks and oaks. A walking or hiking route leads from San Basilio Town Hall through the countryside, past a meeting point at a spring, to the Pranu Sanguni area and the Sardinia Radio Telescope. The telescope site is in the Pranu Sanguni area, within the municipality of San Basilio. The Sardinia Radio Telescope was built and inaugurated there in 2013.

The route passes through the countryside to a clearly identified destination, while the telescope also marks a technological milestone in the town’s history. If you are interested in the route, you can follow its stops from the town hall, past the meeting point at the spring, to Pranu Sanguni.

Crafts and festivals throughout the year

Traditional crafts are kept alive in San Basilio. These include high-quality textiles made on an old loom and woodwork. Traditional crafts and products are also displayed at the Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate e di San Sebastiano.

Sa Cursa de Sa Pudda takes place every year in early February, usually during the first week, in San Basilio. In this equestrian competition, riders seize a wooden hen instead of a star. The event is similar to Oristano’s Sartiglia; the wooden hen is its distinctive feature.

The patronal feast of San Pietro Apostolo is celebrated every year on June 29 at the parish church. The festivities include religious rites, secular events and traditional dances in the square. The Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate e di San Sebastiano is celebrated on one day between January 17 and 20. The event features demonstrations of how the traditional breads Madditzosu and Pani cun gerda, sheep’s cheese and torrone are made, as well as how horses are shod. Sardinian chests and dressed stone are also displayed.

If you are planning your trip around one of these festivals, check the exact date in advance; for the patronal feast of San Pietro Apostolo, check the programme as well.

Getting to the Sardinia Radio Telescope

To reach the Sardinia Radio Telescope, take the SS 131 towards Oristano, then turn off at kilometre 21.6 towards Senorbì, and continue via San Basilio and Silius to the SP 25. Check current navigation information and road conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Notteri, Campulongu, Mandas, Villaspeciosa, Villasimius, Nuragus, Nurallao, Nurri.

Return to the main travel overview: Cagliari.