by the inhabitants who fled to the more protected inner area; the island mainly remained important as the end of pilgrimages devoted to St. Antiochus. A new settlement (bidda in Sardinian) was established around 935 by the judge (the local title for lord) of Cagliari, but this also was abandoned after the end of the giudicato. The island was a territory of the Kingdom of Sardinia (created in 1324) and later was acquired by archbishopric of Cagliari (1503) and, in 1758, by the religious Order of SS. Maurizio and Lazzaro. In the 18th century the area began to be repopulated and toward the mid of the century there were 38 houses, 15 workshops, and 164 huts, with some 450 inhabitants. In January–May 1793 the island was occupied by French troops under admiral Laurent Jean François Truguet, and the citizens freed from ecclesiastical taxes. The last attack by North African pirates occurred in 1815; the same year in which the relics of the patron saint were brought back to the cathedral. Main sights The Palaeo-Christian Basilica of Sant'Antioco, restored in 1089–1102 with its catacombs Roman bridge Roman fountain Ancient acropolis Phoenician and Punic necropolises Tophet Hypogeal village Ferruccio Barreca Archaeological Museum The Forte Su Pisu (1812) Events In the period from 15 May to 15 June a famous tuna "mattanza" is held, with fishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Gallery See also List of islands of Italy References External links Sant'Antioco cultural site Islands of Sardinia Populated places established in the 8th century BC Populated coastal places in Italy