During World War II, Quartu Sant’Elena was a fortified city. A defensive line called the “Quartu containment arch” was built to cope with an Allied landing. This line consisted of about 80 forts scattered throughout the territory, from the coast to the surrounding hills. At least 1,500 positions were built in Sardinia to deal with a possible American landing. One such post, located in the hills of Pitz’e Serra, is popularly known as “the false church.” Although its architecture recalls a religious building, it is actually a military fort designed to deceive the opponent and look like a civilian building. This was a common ploy used to confuse enemies and protect military positions. The care with which it was designed indicates that the military engineer had carefully studied the local architecture, taking his cue from rural churches with gabled roofs and central rose window of Catalan Gothic inspiration.
