Anglona, a historical region in the north of Sardinia characterized above all by a hilly morphology and a coast that alternates rocky walls with beaches. We discovered this part of Sardinia with several itineraries done over several days, one of which we devoted entirely to Sedini and the surrounding areas. What to see in Sedini? Let's make a premise, this village of about 1300 inhabitants is certainly known by historians and experts in Nuragic and Pre-Nuragic archeology. Here, in fact, in the center of the town, there is a real "cathedral": the beautiful domus de janas Sa Rocca
What to see in Sedini
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CATHEDRAL OF THE DOMUS DE JANAS
What to see in Sedini? As soon as I saw Sa Rocca I was immediately surprised and then a huge smile popped up on my face. I was surprised, imagine you have in front of you a building of about 3 floors, made from a single huge boulder and that the same is perforated inside by the single hand of man. All this happened in the pre -Nuragic period (3000-4000 BC even if there are no official documents regarding the dating).
From every angle, Sedini's “fairy house” appears enormous but let's talk about its characteristics. Some peculiarities make "La Rocca" of Sedini unique in its kind, it is in fact defined "the cathedral of domus de Janas ". First of all it is not located in remote places of the Sardinian hinterland but it is located in the center of a village, secondly it was built from a huge boulder that is completely on the surface and it is probably for this reason that it is also considered the most great. The third thing we can say is that it has undergone many changes over the years. Begun as a necropolis and home, it has also become a place for animal shelters, but also a prison, a shop and even a party headquarters. It is currently a museum of Sedini's ethnographic traditions and my heartfelt advice is to pay a visit if you are in the area.
ELEPHANT ROCK
One day I was walking along the road that leads from Castelsardo to Sedini when all of a sudden I saw an elephant by the side of the road. I widened my eyes, I braked, I stopped and I started taking an infinite number of photos. The elephant, however, was made of stone, but there is more. This "simple" elephant, which belongs to the territory of Castelsardo, is a domus de janas whose construction dates back to 3000 BC. A burial structure carved into the rock and probably its initial location was in an adjacent mountain. After detaching it has suffered erosion due to the climate which has made it possible to make the rock look like a primordial elephant. An incredible spectacle both from a natural point of view and from a historical and archaeological point of view, it is absolutely worth a visit and is just 10 minutes from Sedini, on the Anglona state road 134.
SEDINI
It is easy to walk the streets of the town especially in the slightly older area and near the square. It is a magical place and I can define it as an authentic village, with simplicity it is possible to see the glimpses of Sedini simply from a flight of steps between the rocks in the center of the town, not only. its beauty is also in the fantastic Murals present throughout the country that fully describe the daily life of Sedinese people.
On a natural level, the surroundings of Sedini offer spectacular landscapes especially in the di Littigheddu and Lu Saraghinu, from which it is possible to admire the beautiful sea of the Gulf of Asinara, Isola Rossa and Corsica, not to mention the valley of Rio Silanis, rich in springs, overhanging rocks and lush vegetation. What I was able to learn from an excursion in this area was also the food and wine discovery, with valuable products including nougat, delicious honey, curizzoni and good wine.
SAN NICOLA SILANIS
Once again, what to see in Sedini? Churches, many, large, small and particular. We have chosen 2, the first is San Nicola Silanis . I can tell you that the church seen from the point where you arrive by car immediately has a feeling of a ruin completely immersed in nature, the moment you enter the site, this feeling becomes even stronger, you can perceive the nature that over time is dominating the area that was once sacred.
This church is a gem of Romanesque art which over time, due to the climate and also to the lack of human care, has seen its walls slowly collapse together with its incredible charm. The church of San Nicola Silanis is entirely built in white limestone blocks squared and placed with great accuracy, as well as the decorations, the carvings, the engravings, the narrow oriental-style single lancet windows. A real work of art by the architectural masters of the past . For me, although it is currently in a state of ruin, the strong emotion I felt at the moment I arrived at the site, I admired the church and I stopped to think of how the wild nature in the surroundings is taking hold, trying to take possession of this little gem of art or the little that remains of it.
SAINT PETER OF IMAGES
A church, the Templars, is there a relationship? ABSOLUTELY YES. This church is located in the municipality of Bulzi and therefore in the surroundings of Sedini, built around 1100 hides many secrets brought to light by several excavations begun several years ago (and which are continuing). In fact, the remains of a cashier monastery were discovered, one of the headquarters of a sort of monastic republic of Anglona. What do the Templars have to do with it? It is assumed that they financed the extension of the monastery and this is deduced from some findings such as the embossed cross on a stone, but above all how inside the building works like a clock. The light, entering the temple, marks the hours on the walls, incredible isn't it ?!
How about the fact that there is another puzzle? It is not known precisely the meaning of the bas-relief of the church with 3 characters now nti. I give you a big advice, pay a visit to this area, contact the guide (in case of interest we will provide you with the contact) who will explain everything about the history of the church and the monastery and maybe, will dissolve some doubts about mysteries and secrets. It is worth it.
