A vast expanse of breathtaking natural beauty, from the beaches of Chia to the green mountains overlooking the sea. The territory of Domus de Maria is characterized by a long stretch of coastline featuring sand dunes dotted with centuries-old junipers, imposing granite peaks with lush forests, and hills covered in Mediterranean scrub with fragrant essences and brilliant colors. The village was founded in the 18th century and today has 1,700 inhabitants. Both the village and the coast come alive every year with festivals (celebrating goat, wild boar, figs, and fish) and religious feasts: in early October, the patronal feast of the Madonna del Rosario, and for Pentecost, a five-day event featuring Campidanese poetic competitions and the procession of the Holy Trinity, accompanied by decorated carts and riders in traditional costume.

A Paradise Coast
History and Archaeology
Nature and Trekking

The coastline of the hamlet of Chia is seven kilometers long: a corner of paradise. From the Chia Tower, you can access a long sandy expanse interspersed with small promontories and lapped by the emerald green sea. Heading west, you will pass the beaches of Sa Tuerra, Porto Campana, and De Su Sali until you reach Su Giudeu, the most beautiful of all and a frequent setting for television commercials. Behind it lies the Spartivento Lagoon, a habitat for numerous rare species. Opposite the beach, a small island appears, reachable thanks to the shallow waters. At the western end, in a sheltered cove, lies Cala Cipolla. From here, you can reach the Cape Spartivento Lighthouse: from its summit, you can overlook the Sulcis coast. The entire shoreline offers every comfort, making it a dream holiday destination.

By the sea, you can also dive into archaeology: where Chia stands today, the Phoenician-Punic (and later Roman) center of Bithia once flourished. Among the unearthed ruins are the remains of a tophet (a sacred burial ground for children), the road that led to the ancient city of Nora, and a necropolis that housed the temple of the god Bes, whose statue is kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari.

Another wonder of Domus is the forest of Is Cannoneris, a sanctuary for hikers filled with holm oaks, conifers, and Mediterranean scrub. The green expanse stretches to the horizon, crossed by a road and various trekking trails. The forest is a wildlife oasis home to specimens of Sardinian deer and fallow deer. Looking up, you might be surprised by the flight of the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon. The landscape attractions are endless: unique rock formations, sheer cliffs, streams, ancient trees, and rare plant species like giant brooms. Is Cannoneris is further enriched by evidence of prehistoric civilizations, including the Montessu Necropolis and the Tattinu Sacred Well. The entire territory of Domus bears witness to this history, as seen in the Baccu Idda Nuraghe. Industrial archaeology also plays a leading role with several decommissioned mines.