by Riza Shanti Lim
The Sacred Well of Santa Cristina
Pozzo Santa Cristina, one of Europe’s most sought after sites for its sacred and mystic well, has been on top of my list of places to visit since the time a dear friend whispered its holy name to my ear.
Three days ago, amidst the current chaotic happenings in the world, destiny brought me to the Santa Cristina well temple. As I stepped on its pure ground, a mind-blowing, unseen supernatural presence immediately took my breath away. I was enthralled, captivated, embraced by the Holy Ghost. It was an unexplainable experience that only one who experiences it will understand. An absolutely miraculous feeling that I will gratefully and surely keep revisiting.
The Sacred Well of Santa Cristina, that used to be an underground temple, was built during the Nuragic Civilization around 1000 BC and is located in the commune of Paulilatino, Province of Oristano, Sardegna Region, Italy. It is an architectural masterpiece par excellence, says Giovanni Lilliu, the father of Sardinian Archaeology.
The structure consists of the vestibule or atrium, the part in front of the stairway where the offerings for the deity are placed and the stairwell which serves as the access to the hypogeum chamber to reach the well water and the underground tholos chamber.
The astounding orientation and exact geometric composition perfectly align and balance the positions of the Earth and the Sun during equinoxes. During the event, the sunlight touches the bottom of the well, radiating the stairwell and enchanting its witness.
During the solar movement, there comes a point where the sun majestically sits right smack in the small opening hole on top. Looking from down below, I was thinking how it was possible for an enormous sun to fit itself in that little space. It was undeniably a work of the divine.
According to the theories established since 1972 through intuition by Carlo Maxia and LelloFadda, supported by the astronomer Edoardo Proverbio, every 18.6 years, during the period of the Greater Lunistice, the moon reflects its light on the well water. From the 30 centimeter hole on top, the sparkle reflects its glow in the entire underground temple. A paranormal sight to behold.
Santa Cristana’s name was derived from the adjacent rural church of Santa Cristina, dating back to the 11th century. Along with it are the beautiful muristenes (houses for the pilgrims). Every year, the celebration of novenas start in mid- May in honor of the Saint, and in October in honor of the Archangel Raphael. This medieval sanctified sanctuary is just a few meters away from the Christian church and village, surrounded by hundreds of delightful olive trees.
During entire day of my visit, I stayed sitting at the last step of the consecrated stairwell. Touching and drinking its sweet magical nectar. I couldn’t get enough. Wishing I could stay or drop by every single day. I felt a deep connection to the Nuragic era. It felt like coming back home, after a long time.
Though, Santa Cristina is famous for its magical well water that heals and empowers, her remnants speaks more of its untold legends in silence.
Namaste.
