In the heart of Sulcis Iglesiente, the Church of Santa Maria di Tratalias stands as a monument of extraordinary historical and architectural importance. Built in 1213, this church was conceived as a safe haven for the bishops of Sulci (today's Sant'Antioco) threatened by Saracen raids. The structure, made of local stone, stands out for the richness of its decorative elements, in particular the curved leaf motifs that adorn various parts of the building. On the façade, these ornaments embellish the arch above the entrance portal and frame the poly-lobed rose window, while numerous small arches supported by decorative elements follow one another around the perimeter of the church. An unusual and fascinating architectural detail is the cantilevered staircase on the triangular gable of the façade. Inside, visitors can admire a valuable retable from 1596, depicting the Madonna enthroned, flanked by St John the Baptist, St John the Evangelist and St Antiochus. The devotion to the Virgin Mary of Monserrat, introduced during the period of Spanish rule, has remained deeply rooted in the local community, so much so that every year the statue of the Queen of Sulcis is carried in procession to Tratalias, keeping alive a centuries-old tradition.