Stintino, a tourist village known for its beautiful waterfront and crystal-clear sea, unveils its historical and cultural heritage to the public at Monumenti Aperti. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th, when numerous organizations and institutions, elementary and middle schools, local associations, volunteers, and even specialized guides will offer free visits to seven monuments—one more than last year—and a walking tour. Alghero, Nuxis, Samassi, San Gavino Monreale, San Sperate, Sant'Antioco, and Triei will also be participating in the event that weekend.
Mayor Rita Limbania Vallebella stated, "I am convinced that participating in Monumenti Aperti can help engage the community and our young people: they will be the protagonists of disseminating and promoting the culture of their region." Councilor for Culture Marta Diana added, "The event is an important opportunity to promote our region even during the low season and to raise awareness of Stintino not only as a seaside destination but also as a place to experience year-round, rich in history and traditions that we intend to preserve for future generations." One of the symbols of this charming village overlooking Asinara is the MUT - Tonnara Museum (Via Lepanto), inaugurated exactly 10 years ago . It tells the story of schools of fish that follow the currents of the Mediterranean, of seafaring crews awaiting their arrival, and of a system of nets that intercepts their passage. It encapsulates the identity of an entire town, Stintino, whose history is closely tied to that of the Tonnara Saline. Continuing the maritime theme, the Port Museum of Lateen Sails (Porto Minori Lungomare Colombo), inaugurated just three years ago, will be open to visitors. It houses some of the characteristic gozzi (traditional lateen sail boats) of Stintino's maritime tradition: this type of rig was introduced to the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages by the Arabs and features a free-base triangular sail attached to the vessel's single mast (called a spar), plus a jib or polemast at the bow.
New to this edition is the former Tonnara Saline factory and the Church of Corpus Domini (SP 34 towards Stintino, turn off for Hotel Le Tonnare and continue for a short distance on Via delle Mattanze). It was founded in the late 16th century as a fishing and processing site for bluefin tuna, and over the centuries it became an important industrial hub that remained active until 1964. Today, the facility is a holiday village. The small church was built between 1900 and 1901 on the ruins of a previous religious building to ensure that tuna fishermen and workers at the Tonnara Saline factory could attend religious services during their seasonal stay in the industrial village. Closely linked to Asinara is the House of the Confraternity of the Madonna della Difesa (Via Sassari 121/B), having been established in 1865 by the island's inhabitants before it was forced to abandon its territory. All Stintino residents who have turned 12 are members of this brotherhood, which is still active today.
Also open to visitors this year is the Stintino stronghold (Le Saline), which, with its 17 emplacements, is one of the largest strongholds in northern Sardinia. But Stintino is also archaeology: this is demonstrated by the opening to the public of the Nuraghe Unia, in the locality of the same name, one of six Nuragic sites recently surveyed in the area: its position dominates a wide area both along the eastern coastline and towards the hinterland. The new monument for the 2025 edition is the Statue of Peace, at Lungomare Colombo 71. It depicts a girl with oriental features sitting next to an empty chair: an opportunity to reflect on history and better understand the suffering of women victims of war. It is called Torre Falcone because it is the destination of a trail that starts from the former Tore Pippia sports field, in the Ovile del Mercante locality. Sixteenth-century sources indicate that an unfortified observation point was originally located at this site, which remained so until 1580 when it was replaced by the current tower. Guided tours will be organized by the Gruppo Speleo Ambientale Sassari Association in collaboration with the Visit Stintino Tourist Office. For organizational purposes, please register by emailing ufficioturistico@comune.stintino.ss.it or by contacting the organizer Pierpaolo Dore at +39 340 2744 345; pierpa.dore@hotmail.com.
