Marmilla and Sarcidano · Città metropolitana di Cagliari

Things to do in Gesico

Things to do in Gesico, Sardinia's village of seven churches: Sant'Amatore, Monte San Mauro, nuraghi, the snail festival and travel tips.

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Gesico (Gèsigu in Sardinian) is a small village at the northern tip of the Trexenta, nestled in the Rio Mannu valley at the foot of Monte San Mauro, about an hour's drive from Cagliari. It's known as the “village of seven churches and snails”: its lanes hold medieval churches, murals and sculptures, and the surrounding land is dense with Nuragic sites. A great stop if you love sacred art, archaeology and village food festivals.

What to see in Gesico

Parish church of Santa Giusta

Built in the mid-16th century, it combines a Romanesque-style façade and a Pisan-style bell tower with a Catalan Gothic interior. Inside are eight Baroque altars in polychrome marble, an altarpiece of the Souls in Purgatory and a 16th-century wooden crucifix.

Sanctuary of Sant'Amatore

Originally dating from the 12th century, this is the church locals hold dearest. Inside you'll find a late Roman marble sarcophagus and the altar known as sa moba de sant'Amadu (“Saint Amatore's millstone”), linked to the legend of the saint's martyrdom; his relics rest in a silver case.

The other churches

Complete the tour with Santa Maria d'Itria, of medieval origin, built where a Roman villa once stood; the little church of San Mauro on the mountaintop; and the ruins of San Rocco, Santa Lucia (where a late Punic necropolis was identified) and San Sebastiano, built over a Nuragic settlement.

Monte San Mauro and the nuraghi

Monte San Mauro, also called Corona, about 500 metres high, is a valuable natural area already inhabited in the Nuragic age: obsidian arrowheads have been found here. The area has roughly one Nuragic site every one and a half square kilometres; highlights include the panoramic Nuraghe Sitziddiri and the San Sebastiano and Accasa complexes.

Things to do in Gesico

Hike up Monte San Mauro for views over the Trexenta, follow a route linking the seven churches and look out for murals and sculptures by Sardinian artists among the houses. The country lanes are perfect for walks and bike rides, especially in spring. Discover the experiences offered by local operators below and pick the right one for you.

History

Inhabited since the Nuragic age and later in Punic and Roman times, Gesico already existed in the 12th century as a village in the district of Siurgus, in the Judicate of Cagliari. After 1258 it passed to Pisa and around 1324 to Aragon; in 1355 it sent representatives to the parliament called in Cagliari by Peter IV. After passing through several feudal families, it was freed in 1839.

Food and local products

Snails are the village's culinary symbol – Gesico belongs to the network of Italian “snail towns”. In Sardinian they're called sizzigorrus and are stewed or cooked in rich sauces. You'll also find Trexenta durum-wheat bread and pasta, sheep's cheese and almond sweets.

Festivals and traditions

Mid-June: feast of Santa Giusta and Sant'Isidoro.
September: procession to the little church of San Mauro on the mountain.
Late October: feast of Sant'Amatore.
Snail festival: the most eagerly awaited food event, with tastings of snail dishes.

Nearby

Mandas, about 4 km away, with the church of San Giacomo.
Siurgus Donigala and Lake Mulargia.
Suelli, with the San Pietro and San Giorgio complex.
Guamaggiore and Nuraghe Barru.
Selegas, with its murals.

Getting there and when to go

The nearest airport and port are in Cagliari, about 60 km away. By car, take the SS131 to Monastir and then the SS128 towards Senorbì and Mandas. The regional railway between Cagliari (Monserrato) and Isili has a station about 3 km from the village. Spring is the best time for walks on the mountain; autumn brings the feast of Sant'Amatore.