Portoscuso and the red tuna fishing

The “Su Pranu” Tonnara, a monumental complex of industrial archaeology dating back to the end of the 16th century, represents the history of Portoscuso that was born and developed around it. Declared a cultural asset by the Ministry of Culture, the Portoscuso tuna fishery is the most important testimony of the ancient system of fixed structures for the fishing of Sardinian tuna and represents, together with the Spanish Tower built for its defense, the qualifying and identifying element of the town, the historical memory of the place and its community. The complex is a magnificent example of 17th century architecture of Aragonese influence, over 1 hectare in size, which includes a master’s residence, accommodation for fishermen, warehouses for equipment and for processing the fish, a church and an imposing arsenal for boats, all arranged seamlessly around the large courtyard open to the sea. Since 2006, following the acquisition of the property by the Municipality, the Tonnara has been affected by a series of interventions which have so far concerned the main building overlooking Piazza Giovanni XXIII and the courtyard, the Church of Sant’Antonio, the Corpus warehouse and the redevelopment of the sea fronts of the Darsena and the Tonnarotti apartments on the street of the same name.