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Santa Caterina di Pittinuri is a coastal village in Oristano province.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Santa Caterina developed in the post-World War II period around the church of the same name, near one of Sardinia's coastal towers built by the Spanish.
At first, it consisted of only very rudimentary houses, almost certainly second homes used as shelter for shepherds. These were later demolished to make way for the first real dwellings, which arose in the 1950s and 1960s and were built without a town plan.
The village, although not very large, is divided into two parts by the Santa Caterina stream, which runs perpendicular to the coast and flows into the center of the bay.
To the north, we find mostly recently built homes, visible from the linear layout; to the south, however, we find the first homes built around the church.
The village has grown significantly thanks to tourism, and the demand for accommodation has led to the need to build even in the vacant areas of the old town.
Precisely because of the increase in tourists, it was decided in the late 1980s to build a Service Centre square, with an amphitheater structure, which was renovated in 2012.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By car
[edit | edit source]The SS 292 Bosa-Oristano allows you to reach Santa Caterina di Pittinuri.
By bus
[edit | edit source]The ARST 703 bus line stops in Santa Caterina di Pittinuri.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Saint Catherine of Alexandria church (Santa Caterina d'Alessandria), Via delle Cave 2.
- 2 Pittinuri coastal tower, Vico Maestrale.
- 3 Su Riu de sa Ide. Rocky cove where it is also possible to swim.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Beaches: in the summer, you can swim and sunbathe on the beach. The bay is divided into three beaches: 1 L'Angolino, the 2 centre beach, and the 3 left beach. The first two, especially L'Angolino, are the most popular, while the third (to the left of the "La Scogliera" hotel and restaurant, if you walk from the SS 292 road) is full of rocks and pebbles. If you're bothered by crowds and want a quieter beach, choose the third beach. The beaches aren't the same every year; in some summers, they're sandy, while in others, they're full of rocks, making access to the water difficult, especially for those with walking difficulties.
- 4 Santa Caterina Sport & Natura, Via Funtana E Mari, ☏ +39 345 0909949. SUP and canoe rental, canoe and/or SUP excursions to explore sea caves, and assistance.
- 5 Outdoor gym (Santa Caterina di Pittinuri grove). Installed during 2021, it is freely available to anyone.
- 6 Children's play area (Santa Caterina di Pittinuri grove).
- If you have a boat and want to take a boat trip along the coast, you can drive to the 7 boat ramp and launch your boat there. Park your car, then get in your boat. By law, you're allowed to start the engine further than 200 metres from the shore; you must row first, then start it. The same goes for returning: you must row to shore. There's a launching lane marked by buoys.
- 8 Amphitheatre (Piazzetta Centro Servizi). During the summer, shows and concerts by local artists, both Sardinian and otherwise, take place here.
Events
[edit | edit source]- Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Santa Caterina d'Alessandria). Second Sunday of May. On Saturday evening, in Cuglieri, the statue of the Saint is placed on a cart that, the following day, is pulled by oxen to Santa Caterina di Pittinuri, where the faithful welcome it by scattering rose petals along the main street. The statue is accompanied by horsemen, a band, and a small procession of people who, upon arriving in the village, participate in the mass in honor of the Saint in the church of the seaside village. The following day, the statue is brought back to Cuglieri.
The religious rites are followed by civil celebrations in the amphitheatre (Piazza Centro Servizi), with concerts on Saturday and Sunday evenings and children's games. - During the summer, various events are part of the Cuglieri summer program, including concerts by folk groups and singers from Cuglieri and throughout Sardinia, as well as a breathtaking fireworks display (during the third or fourth week of August) that draws large audiences from across the province and beyond. This is because the show takes place over the sea, where the play of light makes the bay overlooking the village glow. Since 2003, this spectacle has been accompanied by the Roast Veal Festival, held in the grove facing the beach. In fact, starting in the morning, whole calves are roasted on a spit according to ancient traditions.
- Fireworks. 17th August. Fireworks on Santa Caterina di Pittinuri Bay.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Da Enrico e Valentina (Artigianato Sardo), Via del Boschetto 13, ☏ +39 329 6646566, +39 329 6646434, daenricoevalentina@tiscali.it. Open only in summer. Souvenir and beach items shop.
- 2 Murtas Bakery, Via Salamedu 15, ☏ +39 0785 38144, +39 340 3638711, +39 349 5708254. Traditional local bread, biscuits and sweets.
- 3 Panada Factory, Piazza Centro Servizi, box 4 (Amphitheatre), ☏ +39 347 0915717. Panadas of Cuglieri.
- Campagna Amica street Market (amphitheatre). July-August: Wed 08:00-13:00.
- 4 Mini Market, Corso Alagon 23.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Azienda Agrituristica Pittinuri, Via del Falco, ☏ +39 0785 38314, agriturismopittinuri@libero.it.
- 2 PachaMama, Corso Alagon (Amphitheatre), ☏ +39 338 3838772, +39 379 1937150, +39 342 5778338. Wed-Sun 11:00-02:00.
- 3 Chiosco Manca Bar-Restaurant, Via Funtana a mare, ☏ +39 393 9476037. Open only in summer 10:00-17:00.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bar Cornus, Corso Alagon 44, ☏ +39 329 3921483. Artisanal ice cream parlour and snack bar. It has a terrace overlooking the sea. The only drawback is the somewhat rude owner. Ask him to turn on the light at the artisanal ice cream counter if it's dark and you can't see the names of the flavours you want.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Casa Vacanza -Sardinia- Villetta Dei Glicini, Via del Fenicottero 5, ☏ +39 349 3602435.
- 2 Casa degli Oleandri, Corso Alagon 27, ☏ +39 335 8131258.
- 3 Società Cooperativa Turistica Sinis, Via Scirocco 20, ☏ +39 0785 389003.
- 4 B&B Manderley, Corso Alagon 52, ☏ +39 0785 38327.
- 5 Hotel La Baja, Via su Paris de sa Turre, ☏ +39 0789 1713663, booking@felixhotels.it. 4-star hotel with restaurant and panoramic swimming pool with bar overlooking the bay and beach.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]- 1 Silvagni pharmacy, Corso Alagon, ☏ +39 0785 38486. Mon-Sat 09:00-12:30, 17:00-19:00.
- 2 Tourist medical guard (Amphitheatre), ☏ +39 340 270 0346. Active only in summer.