Things to do in Senorbì

Senorbì, home to around 4,800 people, is the main town of the Trexenta, a region of gentle wheat-covered hills about 40 km north of Cagliari. In Roman times this area was considered one of the «granaries of Rome», and today the landscape still alternates cereal fields, vineyards and olive groves. Senorbì is the perfect base for exploring the Punic and Nuragic archaeology of southern Sardinia, with an excellent museum and an archaeological park. Great for families, history lovers and anyone keen to cycle or ride through the hills.

What to see in Senorbì

Sa Domu Nosta archaeological museum

Housed in a 19th-century manor house, Sa Domu Nosta («our house») displays finds from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Highlights include a Cycladic-style female figurine from the 3rd millennium BC, known as the «Mother Goddess» or Mater Mediterranea, and finds from the Monte Luna necropolis, such as Egyptian-style amulets and scarabs made in Tharros.

Monte Luna and Santu Teru

About two kilometres from town lies the Punic necropolis of Monte Luna, with around 120 tombs used between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, some decorated with red ochre. It served the Carthaginian settlement founded on the Santu Teru hill in the late 6th century BC.

Churches and old town

The Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Neve, known as Santa Mariedda, was the sanctuary of the lost medieval village of Segolay and is built of sandstone. In town you'll find the parish church of Santa Barbara and the 17th-century church of San Sebastiano. The centre keeps manor houses with grand doorways, and in the hamlet of Sisini stands the 19th-century Villa Aresu.

Nuraghi

The Su Nuraxi nuraghe in Sisini has an unusual plan, similar to a well temple; there's also the tower of the Simieri nuraghe and traces of the Monte Uda nuraghe.

Things to do in Senorbì

The Trexenta hills are perfect for mountain biking and horse riding among wheat fields that change colour with the seasons. Guided visits to the museum and the Monte Luna park bring a thousand years of history to life, while nearby vineyards invite you to taste southern Sardinian wines. Find the experiences offered by local operators just below.

History

The area was inhabited even before the nuraghi and continuously through Nuragic, Punic and Roman times. The village appears in records in the 12th century, in the Trexenta district of the Judicate of Cagliari; it then passed to Arborea, Pisa and, from 1324, Aragon. From 1497 it belonged to the county, later marquisate, of Villasor until it was redeemed in 1839. In 1681 the plague struck hard, and the last inhabitants of Segolay moved here. Since the Second World War Senorbì has grown into a farming, commercial and service hub.

Food and shopping

The Trexenta is wheat country: bread, fresh pasta and semolina sweets are at the heart of the table, along with olive oil, cheeses and local wines.

Festivals and traditions

• Late July: international folklore festival, with dance groups from around the world.
• Early August: feast of Santa Mariedda.
• Santa Vitalia: Is Cuaddus de Santa Vida, a race of horsemen from southern Sardinia finishing in Sisini.

Nearby

• Suelli: the former cathedral of San Pietro and the Piscu nuraghe.
• Guasila: the neoclassical parish church by Gaetano Cima.
• Ortacesus: the Grain Museum.
• Siurgus Donigala: Lake Mulargia.
• Goni: the Pranu Muttedu menhirs.

Getting there and when to go

Cagliari's airport and port are about 45 minutes away by car along the SS128. The town is also on the Cagliari–Isili railway. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with green or golden hills; summer is lively thanks to the festivals.

FAQ

What can I see in Senorbì in one day?

The Sa Domu Nosta museum in the morning, then the Monte Luna necropolis and Santa Mariedda in the afternoon.

Is Senorbì family-friendly?

Yes: the museum is compact and engaging, and the hills offer easy walks.

Is Senorbì near the sea?

It's inland; the beaches of the Gulf of Cagliari are about an hour's drive away.