The Sinis and the Montiferru
The Sinis peninsula is one of the most glamour Sardinia places. It is
situated in the extreme Campidano edge at the bottom of the Montiferru, a
mountainous chain rich in woods and sources.
CABRAS
Leaving Oristano, crossing the Tirso river bridge, you arrive at Cabras.
The town rises at the edge of a large fish pond - mullets - and it is
populated by numerous fishermen. The halt in the town is bound above all to
the gastronomy: Cabras is the home of Botarga and fresh fish.
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SAN GIOVANNI OF SINIS
Out from Cabras you go towards San Giovanni of Sinis: its name derives from
the medieval church you meet on the road at the beginning of the town. In
this zone it is possible to admire some splendid panoramas.
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THARROS
The road ends at the entrance of Tharros excavations. The peninsula was
already inhabited by Nuraghic populations, and it represented an ideal
location for Phoenician navigators to create a protected point of landing.
In the 7th century B.C. a town called Tharros already rose here. It grew in
the Punic and Roman Age extending itself to the hill which is dominated by
St John's Tower. Fortified in the Byzantine age, it continued to live until
the 9th century A.C., when it was conquested by Saracen raids.
We suggest to visit the ruins of the ancient town with the rests of
numerous temples, of Roman baths and of Nuraghic tophet.
SAN SALVATORE
Return back and after 5 Km follow the indication for San Salvatore. The
small suburb has been in part transformed in the 60s in a scenery for
western films. The importance of the sacred place comes from the visit of
the hypogeal temple beneath the small church of San Salvatore.
S'ARCHITTU AND HOLY CATERINA OF PITTINURI
After a long rectilinear, the road climbs leaving the Campidano of Oristano,
on the extreme slopes of Montiferru. Besides the Tradori Nuraghe you can
see on left the rests of the Arenas dunes, that the Mistral accumulated on
a large front, today in great part covered by a large pine forest.The
landscape changes to the height of S'Archittu, with islets, limy
promontories rich in fossils, and a cove closed on a ledge of rock excavated
by the sea to form the arc that gave the name to this place. We suggest to
visit the small beach of Holy Caterina, closed by picturesque white rocks.
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CUGLIERI
Leaving the coast the road crosses a flat plateau which ends on the sea with
reefs of dark basalt interrupted by stony coves created by torrents. The
covered hills of olive trees signal the nearness of Caglieri.
SAN LEONARD DE SIETE FUENTES
The road from Cuglieri to Santu Lussurgie climbs in a mountain landscape, in
deep forests of lollipops. The rests of the Montiferru castle appear on the
hill, built by the Logudoro judges on the southern boundaries of their
kingdom. Going on, you arrive at San Leonardo de Siete Fuentes. The small
center takes its name by the rich ice-cold sources and constitutes an
oasis of green.
SANTU LUSSURGIU
Some continuous curves carry to Santu Lussurgiu, one of the greatest centres
of Montiferru.
BONARCADO
After Santu Lussurgiu the road runs down through a rocky landscape to the
Urtigu Mountain, 1050 m, the highest point of the ancient Montiferru
volcano. In the entrance of Bonarcado, on the right, there is a religious
complex among the most important ones of Sardinia.
SENEGHE
Beyond the hills covered by olive trees appears the village of Seneghe. It
still preserves numerous basalt and trachite houses with jambs and
architrave of tufa in according to the Catalan way of life.
MILIS
Milis is situated at the foot of the Montiferru, at the extreme limit of the
Campidano, at the margin of the fertile valley routed by the rio Mannu.
THE LANDS OF THE VERNACCIA
Leaving Milis, take the road in direction to San Vero Milis, that runs on
the side of pipes hedges, which surround the citrus orchards. Pass
Zeddiani til you arrive at Baratili. It is one of the greatest centres of
the production of Vernaccia, the excellent dessert wine of high gradation.
From Baratili, continue to Riola and hence the government street restores to
Oristano in ten minutes.
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