ANTICA CITTÀ DI CORNUS

It is necessary to come to walk in this ancient Punic city at sunset! The exceptional panorama of the Montiferru massif and the Pittinuri cliffs is even more beautiful. The Carthaginians built this city in the 6th century BC on the ruins of a Nuraghic complex. The fertile land, rich in natural resources, the proximity of the coast and the trade routes made it a choice site. The Romans, during their conquest of Sardinia, encountered strong resistance at Cornus. The Sardinians and Carthaginians joined forces to repel the enemy, but eventually gave in in 215 BC. When the Romans finally allowed freedom of worship on the island in the 4th century, Cornus became an important episcopal centre. Two basilicas were built and the ancient city became a necropolis. In front of one of the churches, a baptistery was found, with tombs " alla cappuccina " on the side. Canteens were also found which allowed the practice of the rite of refrigerium. This was a banquet held on or near the grave to celebrate the deceased. This tradition, originally pagan, still persists in some parts of Sardinia where it is customary to share coffee, biscuits and bread in memory of the dead. In the second basilica, the most prominent members of the community were buried in stone sarcophagi placed in the apse. Some of them are still visible on the site.