From a place of slaughter to a gentle cradle for contemporary art. The Calasetta Contemporary Art Museum (MACC) on Sant'Antioco Island is based in the town's ex-slaughterhouse, which lay abandoned for more than 40 years before recently being renovated and converted to an art gallery.The "conversion" was overseen by ErmannoLeinardi (1933-2006), the founder (1966) together with ItaloUtzeri, Ugo Ugo and ToninoCasula, Sardinian artist from the GruppoTransnazionale, dedicated to experimenting and sharing Sardinian artistic research with the rest of Europe.

The collection, put together by Leinardi thanks to exchanges with other artists, sums up the artistic trends developing in Europe between 1960 and 1970. Other works were added later. The exhibition is spread over two floors. Starting in a room containing the collection of constructivist art, you move on to to abstract art in the next room. The platform that runs along the museum lets you admire a series of largescale works set around six metres above the ground. A skylight floods the entire complex with light, allowing you to interpret the works from different perspectives. The constructivist works, especially the French ones, are particularly valuable. Artists include Charles Bezie, Sonia Delaunay, J.F. Dubreuil, Jean Leppien, Aurelie Nemours, Claude Pasquer, Yves Popet, Henri Prosi and Michel Seuphor. Italian artists include: Giuseppe Capogrossi, Piero Dorazio, Lucio Fontana, Bice Lazzari, Paolo Minoli, Achille Pace, Mario Radice, Mauro Reggiani and Luigi Veronesi.

A dip into contemporary art will be the ideal way to end a splendid day spent at the Calasetta seaside, among stunning locations such as the CalaLunga inlet, or the nearby fascinating Mangiabarche with its rock and famous lighthouse, or the beautiful beaches near the city: Le Saline, Sottotorre and Spiaggia Grande.