Nowadays functioning as a sort of open-air museum, the archaeological site of Tharros is as beautiful as it is interesting. Situated right on the seashore overlooking the gulf of Oristano, it boasts some excellent views of the surrounding area. Tharros was first mentioned in Roman documents, but it was first founded long before then. The Phoenicians are credited with having built a settlement in 8th century BC on the same site as what had been a bronze-age nuragic village. For the most part however, the remains that we see today were Roman additions to the town. Examples of characteristic Roman infrastructure, such as a drainage system and an aqueduct still remain, as do the foundations of several temples and remains of the Roman baths. The Corinthian columns that have become intrinsically connected with people’s image of Tharros stand majestically in all their faded glory against the backdrop of the clear sea behind.