Quartu Sant'Elena
Quartu Sant'Elena is a city in the Province of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. It is the third biggest city of Sardinia with a population of 68,040 and an area of 96.28 km².
A brief history
Quartu S. Elena is the third biggest town in Sardinia. Its name comes from its distance to Cagliari (the main town in Sardinia): Quartum miles (Latin for “four miles”). The first traces of human presence in Quarto (the original name for Quartu) are from the Phoenician period; we can see them in Cepola, Geremeas, Is Mortorius, Separassiu. Roman findings were found near Sant’Andrea villa, a graveyard at S. Martino and a few tombs at Simbirizzi. In the fourth century D.C. Sardinia was divided into four Giudicati (autonomous regions); Quarto, which included fourteen villas, belonged to the Cagliari Giudicato. In 1066 Quarto was given to Cagliari’s archbishop and then went back to king Torgotorio II. (date missing) During the Aragonese rule, Quarto suffered many disasters: famines, the plague, malaria and continuous raids from Saracen pirates. In 1793 the soldiers of a French fleet landed on the coast of Quarto, with the intention of conquering the whole island; the people of Quarto, led by Antonio Pisanu, assailed the French and repelled them after a bloody battle. Feudalism ended in 1836 under the baron Pes di Villamarina. Only 50 years ago “Quartu Sant’Elena” (the modern name for Quarto) was upgraded to the status of “city” by the President of Republic, Giovanni Gronchi. (exact date missing)
Monuments
From an artistic point of view, there are five interesting churches situated in the city. The most important are S. Elena Imperatrice, S. Maria Cepola and S. Agata. There is also Sa dom’e farra (house museum). It is a large peasant house of the 1600s, where you can see various rooms, objects and tools used by the peasant society.
Geography
Quartu has a long, shallow coastline. It also looks onto the pond of Molentargius, where flamingos and Sultan roosters nest.
Economy
The economy is based on the tertiary industry. Quartu also produces optimal wines, bread and cakes.
Festivities
The most important religious festivity is dedicated to Saint Elena and is celebrated on the 14th September.
External links
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