The Roman Bridge, known as “Su Ponti Mannu” (the Great Bridge), is one of the oldest and most significant testimonies to the island's history. Built in the 1st century AD, when the island was called Sulky and was one of the most important centers in the western Mediterranean, the bridge served as the vital link between the island of Sant’Antioco and the Sardinian mainland. It was part of the Roman road connecting Karalis, ancient Cagliari, to Sulci.
Today, a short section of the original Roman road partially submerged but clearly recognisable on days when the tide is low. Unlike other Roman bridges built to span rivers or elevation changes, this bridge actually connected an island to the mainland by crossing a series of islets that formed an isthmus. Over the centuries, the bridge has undergone damage and restoration, with documented interventions dating back to at least 1774 and further work in the 19th century.
The site is set in a lagoon landscape and the original arches are still visible next to the modern bridge, offering visitors a tangible glimpse of Sant'Antioco's Roman history.
The Roman Bridge is a must to immerse oneself in the island's most ancient history and admire a unique masterpiece of Roman engineering in the Mediterranean.
