The Cave of the Nativity is a Punic hypogeum used as his own home by Ciu Canteddu and his wife. After his death it was abandoned as the couple had no children. In the early 1980s, the Superintendence of Archaeological Heritage for the Province of Cagliari and Oristano entrusted the management of the hypogeum to local sculptor Gianni Salidu for use in exhibitions and cultural events. In this environment the sculptor Gianni Salidu exhibited his first Nativity scene, and from then on the cave was named Grotto of the Nativity. The Nativity tradition continued for several years and spread to the rest of the town. This was followed by nativity scenes set up at the Is Zuddas caves (Santadi), the Palace of the Regional Council in Cagliari in collaboration with the Liceo artistico, and the Botanical Garden in Cagliari in collaboration with the University of Cagliari. Another was set up in Hallwang bei Salzurg (Switzerland), another in India at the Baratmata Asram Curu Cetra Christian Church in Ariane and in several Italian centers. We also recall the posthumous installation desired by the Municipal Administration of Sant’Antioco and the Cultural Association “Sant’Antioco Embraces the Sea” at the San Ponziano Cloister and Arena Verona. The Cave of the Nativity reopened to the public on the occasion of Open Monuments 2009 and became a permanent exhibition. Today, in addition to the nativity scene, the public can enjoy the displays of the rooms that recreate the living environment of the people who inhabited it for decades.
