Archaeological Site of San Cromazio

Il mosaico policromo più grande della Sardegna, testimone di duemila anni di storia lungo l’antica via per Sulci

The archaeological site of San Cromazio is located about 1.5 km from Villaspeciosa, among the fields of the Campidano plain. It is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Sardinia, known for its polychrome floor mosaic of around 160 square metres, among the largest and best preserved on the island.

Scoperto agli inizi degli anni ’70 e studiato sistematicamente dall’Università di Sassari dal 1974, questo luogo racconta una storia millenaria di spostamenti, trasformazioni e fede.

A Roman posting station

In the 1st–2nd century AD, a mansio stood here: a stopping place along the Roman road that connected Cagliari to Sulci, today’s Sant’Antioco. It was a place of rest for travellers and pack animals, equipped with the services needed along the journey.

In the 3rd century, a bath complex was added. Its spaces are still identifiable today: the frigidarium for cold baths, the calidarium for hot baths, the praefurnium with the furnace for heating, and other service rooms.

The great early Christian mosaic

With the arrival of Christianity, the site changed its purpose. According to the most widely accepted archaeological interpretation, in the 4th century AD a church or place of worship was built here, paved with the large mosaic we can still admire today. It is a stone carpet in white, black, red, green, and ochre, arranged in decorative panels with motifs comparable only to examples from Africa and the famous Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina.

At the centre stand Christian symbols: the kantharos, the vessel of Eucharistic wine, a millet ear, and vine leaves, framed by elaborate geometric borders. In the 6th century, the mosaic was restored with the addition of a large central vase.

Dal villaggio medievale all’abbandono

Attorno alla chiesa si sviluppò un villaggio, forse l’antico centro di Itzo documentato nelle fonti medievali. La comunità continuò a vivere qui almeno fino al IX secolo, come testimonia il vasto cimitero rinvenuto a sud dell’edificio. L’abbandono definitivo avvenne probabilmente nel XII secolo, quando fu costruita la vicina chiesa romanica di San Platano.

Visitor information

Il sito di San Cromazio è attualmente in fase di RISTRUTTURAZIONE e non accessibile.

Location: Villaspeciosa, about 1.5 km west of the village.

Opening hours: For updates and visits, please contact the Municipality of Villaspeciosa.