Marmilla and Sarcidano · Città metropolitana di Cagliari

Things to do in Sadali

Things to do in Sadali, Sardinia: the waterfall in the village centre, Is Janas caves, Su Stampu 'e su Turrunu, hiking, culurgionis and travel tips.

Sadali, Sardegna — © Keith Ruffles · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

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Sadali, Sàdili in Sardinian, is a small village in the Barbagia di Seulo, in south-central Sardinia, on the edge of a limestone plateau, the "tacco", brimming with water. It's the only Sardinian village with a waterfall right in its centre, and its land hides caves, springs and woods. It's perfect for families, nature lovers and hikers, and for anyone wanting to taste culurgionis made the old way.

What to see in Sadali

San Valentino waterfall and the mill

In the heart of the village, next to the church, water from year-round springs runs down a green slope and plunges into sa bucca manna ("the great mouth"), a sinkhole where it vanishes underground; a path lets you get close. Nearby is a 17th-century water mill that still holds its old tools. The old centre, with stone houses and paved lanes, is quick to explore and very photogenic.

San Valentino church

The parish church of San Valentino is Sardinia's only sanctuary dedicated to the 3rd-century Roman martyr. Of late Byzantine origin, it holds a 17th-century wooden altar. The village also has the churches of Sant'Elena and Santa Maria.

Is Janas caves

In the north of the area, the Is Janas ("fairies") caves can be visited for about 300 metres through six chambers full of stalactites, stalagmites and ochre flowstone. Legend says three fairies lived here. Visits are guided and suitable for children.

Su Stampu 'e su Turrunu

On the border with Seulo lies one of the most striking natural monuments of inland Sardinia: a stream that disappears into a karst sinkhole and re-emerges as a waterfall into a small pool. It's reached on a short walk.

Things to do in Sadali

Sadali is made for hiking: trails along the edges of the plateau, between rock walls, holm, cork and downy oaks, lead to springs, waterfalls and viewpoints. You can join guided caving visits, mountain-bike rides and days out along the streams, refreshing even in midsummer. Lake Flumendosa is easy to reach. In summer the Trenino Verde on the Mandas–Arbatax line stops at Sadali-Seulo station, a lovely way to arrive or leave. The experiences offered by local operators are right below: pick your adventure.

History

Rock-cut tombs and nuraghi show people lived here from pre-nuragic times; the Romans followed. In the Middle Ages Sadali belonged to the Judicate of Cagliari; after 1258 it passed briefly to the Judicate of Gallura and then to Pisa. Conquered by Aragon in 1324, it was given to several feudal families and from 1604 joined the duchy of Mandas, until feudalism ended in 1839.

What to eat and buy

The signature dish is culurgionis, handmade ravioli filled with potato, mint, pecorino and fresh cheese. Home-baked bread, cheeses, cured meats, roast meats and honey complete the table. Take home local cheeses and produce.

Festivals and traditions

Sant'Antonio bonfires (mid-January): fires lit around the village on winter nights.
Culurgionis festival (early August): the best-known event, with tastings, music and Sardinian dancing, celebrating the harvest and summer.
Madonna d'Itria: a festival with a procession to the country church dedicated to the Virgin.

Nearby

Seulo and Seui, mountain villages of the Barbagia di Seulo with woods and trails.
Lake Flumendosa, for scenery and canoeing.
Nuraghe Arrubiu at Orroli, the "red giant", about half an hour away.
Laconi, with Aymerich park and the menhir museum.

Getting there and when to go

The nearest airport and port are in Cagliari, about an hour and a half by car along scenic inland roads through the Sarcidano. In summer the village is served by the Trenino Verde. The best time is spring to autumn: in spring the waterfall is at its fullest, in summer the village is cooler than the coast and hosts the festival, and in autumn the woods change colour.