Things to do in Siliqua

Siliqua is a village in the Cixerri valley, in south-west Sardinia, about half an hour's drive from Cagliari. Its skyline is dominated by Acquafredda castle, perched on a volcanic hill and linked to Count Ugolino, immortalised by Dante. To the south the land rises towards the forests of Monte Arcosu, home of the Sardinian deer. It's the right place if you love castles, nature and hiking, and an easy first stop on the way from the airport.

What to see in Siliqua

Acquafredda castle

Already mentioned in a papal bull of 1215, the fortress belonged to the Della Gherardesca and passed in 1257 to Count Ugolino, whom Dante recalls in Canto XXXIII of the Inferno. It rises on three levels up the slope: the fortified village at the bottom, the large cistern tower above and the keep at the top, the castellan's residence, with an underground cistern and Guelph battlements. The name ("cold water") comes from a spring flowing from the rocks. From the top you can see the Cixerri valley, Cagliari and the Marmilla.

The hill and its volcanic dome

Acquafredda hill is an ancient volcanic dome of great geological interest, protected as a natural monument; kestrels, buzzards and lesser kestrels nest here. At its foot is a eucalyptus and pine wood with a picnic area.

Churches and old town

The village has the churches of San Giorgio Martire, Sant'Anna, Sant'Antonio da Padova, San Giuseppe Calasanzio and San Sebastiano. The old centre keeps traditional mud-and-stone houses, a sign of its long farming and herding history.

Archaeology

The area spans millennia: the Neolithic site of Su Cuaddu de Sa Mongia, the giants' tomb of Sa Domu 'e s'Orku, the Punic fortifications of Medau Casteddu, and the remains of a Roman aqueduct and cemetery.

Things to do in Siliqua

• Visit the castle of Acquafredda, with a walk in the woods at the foot of the hill.
• Hike Monte Arcosu and Monte Lattias, among holm and cork oaks, looking for Sardinian deer and fallow deer.
• Walk to the waterfall of Su Spistiddatroxiu.
• Birdwatching on the hill, with its nesting raptors.

Experiences from local operators are right below: choose the one for you.

History

Inhabited in prehistoric and Nuragic times, the area later saw Punic and Roman settlements. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Decimo district of the Giudicato of Cagliari. After Ugolino's death the castle passed to Pisa and then to the Aragonese; in 1412 Siliqua was granted as a fief and later joined the Marquisate of Villacidro and Palmas. The castle was bought back by the House of Savoy in 1785 and the village was freed from feudal rule in 1839. The name comes from the Latin siliqua, "pod" or "carob".

What to eat and buy

The farming and herding tradition of the Cixerri valley lives on in home-style bread, sheep's cheese, olive oil and wine. The area is also known for the Zinnigas springs, source of a low-mineral water.

Festivals and traditions

Siliqua has a long musical tradition: the "Giuseppe Verdi" band, founded in the late 1800s, is still active today with around thirty musicians and livens up village life.

Nearby

• Monte Arcosu WWF reserve, one of the largest WWF reserves in Italy.
• Villamassargia and the olive trees of S'Ortu Mannu, about 15 minutes away.
• Nuxis, with Sant'Elia and the Tattinu sacred well.
• Cagliari, about half an hour away.

Getting there and when to go

Siliqua lies on the SS 130 Cagliari-Iglesias road, about 35 minutes from Cagliari-Elmas airport and Cagliari port; it's also served by the railway to Iglesias. Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking and visiting the castle, when the heat is less intense.

FAQ

Can you visit Acquafredda castle?

Yes, you walk up the hill to the keep; wear comfortable shoes.

Is Siliqua by the sea?

No, it's inland; the nearest beaches are on the Gulf of Cagliari, about 40 minutes away.

How long do you need?

Half a day for the castle and village; a full day if you add a hike in Monte Arcosu.