For about 20 years, it had managed the archaeological complex of Santa Sabina (a regional site of excellence), then that of San Lorenzo and the Nuragic well. The Old Sardigna cooperative today took its final step and closed its doors amid controversy , suspending the service that once served hundreds of visitors (from 3,000 to 10,000 people a year). The cooperative's members, president Giovanni Cappai, Checco Nieddu, Carlo Serra, and Francesca Pischedda, worked there.
"The conditions for doing business have disappeared," cooperative members said at a press conference. "In recent years, we have demonstrated passion and commitment, despite many difficulties. Now the essential conditions for continuing are no longer there. We have decided not to renew the agreement with the Municipality for plausible reasons. Archaeological areas cannot be managed as a business without the contribution of the Region . We raised the issue, but the Municipality, which owns the archaeological sites, has not given us any encouragement. Too much negligence. Furthermore, the sites lack almost complete safety measures, and the ticket price (3 euros per person) is also preventing us from continuing."
What to do? "We are absolutely convinced that these monuments cannot be managed without public funding. We have repeatedly contacted the Municipality, but have received no response. The closure is therefore necessary." Mayor Gian Pietro Arca responded promptly: "I sincerely regret the Cooperative's statement. These are painful words, especially given the administration's unwavering commitment to operating responsibly and with full respect for all local stakeholders, including local cooperatives. In particular, this administration, as well as, to my knowledge, those that preceded it, has always supported and supported the cooperative's work, whenever the conditions were right. Despite my disappointment at these statements, I do not believe it is useful to fuel controversy that only risks creating divisions. I will therefore simply challenge them firmly, leaving each citizen the freedom to judge with balance and common sense."
