Things to do in San Vito
San Vito, Sarrabus: Monte Narba silver mines, San Priamo sanctuary, nuraghi, launeddas music, famous oranges and nearby Costa Rei beaches.
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San Vito, Santuidu in Sardinian, is a village in the Sarrabus area of south-east Sardinia, a few kilometres from the beaches of Muravera, Villaputzu and Costa Rei. Surrounded by citrus groves, it's known for its oranges, its silver-mining past and above all for the launeddas, the ancient triple-pipe reed instrument that has one of its key schools here. A great base if you want to mix beach time, archaeology, traditional music and inland hikes.
What to see in San Vito
La Via dell'Argento museum
Housed in the town hall, a late-19th-century former police barracks built of granite and earth, it tells the story of the miners through testimonies, documents, photos and tools. In the early 1900s the Sarrabus had more than 1,500 miners.
Monte Narba mining village
From the mid-1800s Monte Narba was one of Italy's main silver and lead deposits. The village, founded in 1864, had a hospital, workshops and electric light; today its ruins are full of atmosphere.
San Priamo sanctuary and Asoru nuraghe
The sanctuary of San Priamo, of medieval origin, stands next to a domu de janas (rock-cut tomb) from which flows a spring believed to be miraculous. Close by, along the road, is the Asoru nuraghe (Bronze Age stone tower).
Churches and other sites
In the village you can visit the churches of San Vito, the patron saint, San Lussorio, Santa Maria and Sant'Antioco. Further out are the Pranu Narbonis necropolis of rock-cut tombs, the Genna Mesa nuraghe and the Neolithic settlement of Sa Conserva.
Things to do in San Vito
Its territory is one of the largest in Sardinia, stretching from the Flumendosa plain to the Sarrabus mountains: ideal for hiking, mountain biking and 4x4 trips to the old mines. Within minutes you reach the south-east coast for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips. Don't miss a launeddas concert or lesson. Discover the experiences offered by local operators below.
History
Rock-cut tombs and nuraghi point to very early settlement, followed by Punic and Roman presence. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the Giudicato (Sardinian kingdom) of Cagliari, then Gallura and Pisa; from 1324 it was Aragonese and in 1363 joined the county, later marquisate, of Quirra. It bought its freedom in 1839. The 19th century brought the silver-mining boom.
Food and local products
Citrus fruit is the town's pride, especially the late San Vito orange, seedless and very juicy, which ripens on the tree until May or June. Try pratzira, a local flatbread, and roast goat.
Festivals and traditions
- Sagra de sa Pratzira e de sa Petza de Craba, late July: flatbread, roast goat, music and dancing.
- Sa Cursa a su Coccoi, late August: a horseback joust where riders at full gallop spear a traditional bread.
- Sagra de su Pisci at San Priamo, late August.
Festivals are accompanied by launeddas, the village's symbol. Locals speak the Sarrabus variety of Campidanese Sardinian, known for its distinctive glottal stop.
Nearby
- Muravera and the beaches of Feraxi and Colostrai.
- Villaputzu and Porto Corallo.
- Costa Rei, with its long pale beaches.
- Sarrabus lagoons, for birdwatching.
Getting there and when to go
From Cagliari (Elmas airport and port) it's about an hour by car via the SS 125 and SS 554. The sea is about 15 minutes away. May to September is best for the beach; winter and spring are perfect for oranges and hiking.
FAQ
Is San Vito by the sea?
The village is inland, but the beaches of Muravera, Villaputzu and Costa Rei are about 15–25 minutes away by car.
What are launeddas?
An ancient triple-pipe wind instrument played with circular breathing; San Vito is one of its most important centres.
How many days do I need?
One day for the museum, mines and San Priamo; a few days if you add the Sarrabus beaches.
