Milis Holy Well In Golfo Aranci 0 Comments

Milis Holy Well In Golfo Aranci

Just 5 minutes far from the Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel & Suites, there is the Milis Holy Well in Golfo Aranci, one of the most important in the area, dating back to the 8th - 7th century BC. The site is located between two strips of partly disused train tracks. The external part was seriously damaged by the works carried out in the 19th century for the construction of the railway line. 

The well, which in the past was poorly studied and exploited although it is located in an important area for the tourist and cultural development of the territory, now lives with a new expectation. In fact, on September 7th, 21, the "planning service, including scheduling of the archaeological excavation, project management and safety coordination of the" Interventions for the protection and enhancement of the Sacred Well was awarded by the Municipality of Golfo Aranci Milis"". As explained by the cultural delegate Alessandra Feola. "The Milis Holy Well is an archaeological site considered of the utmost importance, and in Golfo Aranci, we will have the opportunity to take the first step for the public use of the archaeological site which will also be an attraction for cultural tourism in our country and in the whole of Sardinia".

In the past it was called Puttu Romanu (Roman Well), replaced by the name Milis Holy Well, probably after the Latin term miles (soldier). The well was used by boats approaching the coast to stock up on water and was used until a few decades ago as a cistern.

I like to imagine who were the users of this well over the centuries: thanks to 150 bronze models of small boats that have been found, unique in their shape in the Mediterranean scenery, we know that the ancient Sardinians were skilled navigators, like The Shardana: Warriors Of Sardinia who reached Egypt and the Middle East coasts. Surely those ships also stock up on water at Milis. Then it was the turn of the Phoenician ships, mainly commercial, and then of the Punic ships, the quinquereme which the Romans had to copy in order to cope with them. From medieval galleys to corsair vessels, all this peaceful or warlike sailing which, arriving at the gulf where Milis was, stocked up on the precious vital element: water.

Shist and limestone blocks were used to build the Milis Holy Well, perfectly worked and placed aligned; the staircase is now 22 steps but at the time of the excavation there were at least 40 of them. The roof of the room has a stepped ceiling giving the impression of a mirrored view, an image of a double staircase that creates a particular architectural effect enriched by the reflections of the water. The graphic representation of the Nuragic Milis Well, whose shape refers to the male sexual organ, is rather intriguing. A well with "masculine" features, was probably dedicated to the worship of the Father God or De Su Babbu or Su Mere Mannu

The site can finally be restored, new excavations can be carried out and, with the safety and rearrangement of the area around the well, it will have the enhancement it deserves. One could better understand its use and the reason why of its unusual position compared to the other sacred Nuragic wells present in Sardinia.

"Anyone who drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty again, indeed, the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to endless life.” (Jesus Christ)

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Written by Daniela Toti

In the photo, the sacred well Millis taken from the FAI website

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