The colonization of the island of Sant’Antioco was due since ancient times to the presence of numerous water sources that flowed copiously in the waterfront facing the lagoon.
The Phoenicians when they traveled the Mediterranean made a destination in the ancient Island of Sant’Antioco where they could get water to continue their journey.
The Romans with the construction of the city of Sulci carried out all those works necessary for the urbanization of the city.
Among these, of particular importance was the realization of the channeling of spring water with the construction of the Roman fountain (is solus) in what is now Piazza Italia.
Probably the toponym is solus would be the plural de su solu, which indicated the spring. Since ancient times and up to the present day, the Roman fountain has been the only form of water supply for the population. Angius in 1849 named the fountain Is Quattru Solus.
During the feast of Saint Antiochus in the 17th century thousands of faithful flocked to pay homage to the patron saint, the traccas who came from nearby villages would stop at the Roman fountain to water their animals.
Women who lived in Borgo Solci and the caves went daily to the fountain to fill jugs, which they then carried on their heads with great skill.
Four barrel-vaulted stone tanks, with a span of two meters each, communicated with each other.
The central ones being longer than the side ones, they cross twenty meters through the subsoil of the square and constitute the cisterns from whose sandy bottom the water gushes out.
At that point the Municipal Administration commissioned Eng.
Dionigi Scano to carry out a study in order to be able to preserve the monument.
This task was also carried out with the advice of Eng.
Asproni and Eng.
Tronci who came to Sant’Antioco for an inspection on December 28, 1906.
The work was completed in 1911 completely hiding the ancient Roman artifact.
Today the Roman fountain no longer serves its former function.
It has undergone various maintenance and beautification works and is a destination for young people who spend their free time in the central Piazza Italia.
