Tharros

Among the must-see places for a traveler to discover Sardinia, the Sinis Peninsula ranks near the top. The area contains an unparalleled biodiversity and has a landscape of beaches, cliffs, lakes, and wetlands. This natural area is located on the west coast of Sardinia near Oristano and also houses one of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Sardinia: the ancient city of Tharros.
I won’t dwell too much on the historic and artistic details as this information can easily be found elsewhere. Ancient Tharros is located on the southern tip of the peninsula in the San Giovanni di Sinis area between the Gulf of Oristano to the east, St. John’s Tower to the north, and Capo San Marco to the south. The city was founded in the 8th century BC by the Phoenicians but today only a few traces of their rule (most importantly, funerary monument) remain. Those that can be seen today are, in fact, mainly the remains of the Roman city that developed between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD.

It’s easy to reach the ancient city of Tharros from the main square of San Giovanni di Sinis: take the path on the right along the beautiful beach of San Giovanni and the tower of the same name. Continue along the path until you reach the opposite coast (the one facing Gulf of Oristano) and you'll find the entrance to the ruins of Tharros.

Of Phoenician origin, the ruins date back to the 8th century BC. It was also once a Punic port and, finally, in the 2nd century AD a Roman colony. The main features are the two restored Corinthian columns rising above the sea and the large square paved with trachyte.

The history of various civilizations combine together in this beautiful place. It is said that it was one of the most important parts of the island. First Nuraghe space after the settlement of the Phoenicians, later Punic and finally, of course, the Romans. Finally against Saracen raids the city was abandoned to its fate.