Villaputzu between coastal wetlands, history and Launeddas
Accommodation in Villaputzu
Villaputzu brings together coastal landscapes, archaeological traces, historic sites and vibrant local culture within a compact area. If you would like to combine nature observation, history and regional specialties on your trip to Italy, the town offers several clearly distinct themes for this purpose.
Coastal wetlands and distinctive landscapes
The Stagni di Murtas e S’Acqua Durci SIC area covers 745 hectares and lies within the municipality of Villaputzu. At the mouth of the Flumendosa where it flows into the sea, the river forms a coastal wetland system in Villaputzu. Along the coast there are also dune formations and wetland ecosystems designated as SIC areas, including Pardu Mareus, Is Murtas and Flumini Durci. The wetland system is suitable for birdwatching and long walks.
The Grutta de Giuanniccu Mene is also one of Villaputzu’s defining natural features. The complex cave has an extensive network of passages, changes in elevation and connecting routes; a diverse bat population has been recorded inside it. The town’s landscape therefore ranges from open wetlands to underground structures.
Archaeology and historic sites
Castello di Quirra was built before 1296–1297. The Pozzo Sacro Is Pirois dates from the Nuragic period, between 1600 and 535 BC, and can be reached from the car park after a walk of approximately 150 metres. At the Sarcapos site in Eringiana, ceramic fragments were found that have been attributed to the Nuragic, Etruscan, Greek, Phoenician-Punic and Roman cultures.
The Chiesetta di San Nicola was probably built by the Pisans in the first or second decade of the 13th century. Su Presoni in Cirreddis is a Paleo-Christian hypogeal tomb that was later used as a prison. The mining village of Baccu Locci comprises around thirty historic buildings and rare industrial facilities; mining for arsenopyrite continued until 1965. Baccu Locci can be reached via the SS 125: at the Corr’e Cerbu bridge, an unpaved road branches off at kilometre 82, following the stream bed inland and reaching the mining village after approximately 10 kilometres.
Launeddas, crafts and events
Villaputzu has had an important and long-standing tradition of Launeddas playing since the second half of the 19th century. The Festival delle Launeddas takes place every year on 7 August in Villaputzu. It includes a solemn religious procession attended by Launeddas players from other schools on the island. The Mostra dell’Artigianato Sarrabese also takes place every summer. Textiles, blankets, carpets, table linen, crocheted table sets, wicker baskets and mats are displayed there. The “Sagra dei Ravioli e dei Malloreddus” is an event held in August. The visitor programme also includes a Nuragic archaeological route with guided tours of archaeological sites in Villaputzu.
Local specialties and getting there
A gastronomic tour through Sarrabus includes tastings of wine, cheese, honey and meat at local businesses. Villaputzu’s gastronomic specialties include Su Presuttu, a ham made from the pig’s hind leg. Villaputzu can be reached by car and via a daily bus service operated by ARST and FdS, connecting the town with Cagliari. As another destination for orientation, you can visit Porto Corallo.
For the higher-level travel overview: Cagliari.
Further destinations
Other places within the same destination:
