Discover Gesturi: Giara, Nuraghi and Sardinian traditions

Gesturi combines the landscape of the Giara di Gesturi with very early architectural history, religious sites, and craft and religious traditions. The result is a destination where nature, prehistoric archaeology and the history of everyday life come together at specific places.

The Giara di Gesturi: nature and prehistoric traces

The Giara di Gesturi has been a Site of Community Importance since 1995 because of its distinctive plant and animal life. Many plant and animal species have disappeared elsewhere; the isolated location has shaped this population. The Giara is also known for a colony of wild horses considered unique in Europe.

The Giara di Gesturi offers extensive cycling tours through wild nature. Along the way are places where prehistoric remains have been preserved. The Fondazione Altopiano della Giara organizes guided visits to the Protonuraghe of Bruncu Madugui on the Giara di Gesturi. This makes it possible to combine the landscape and early history in a single outing.

Churches, the historic center and everyday history

In the historic center of Gesturi is the Casa di Fra Nicola, a few meters from the parish church. The house preserves furniture and everyday objects that illustrate domestic life and farming work at the end of the 19th century. The Chiesa di Santa Barbara is the oldest church in Gesturi. Two building blocks bearing the year 1473 and the inscription „Hoc fecit Badinus“ are preserved on it.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Teresa d’Avila also stands in the center of Gesturi. Its bell tower is 30 meters high. A few kilometers from Gesturi, the Chiesa della Madonna d’Itria, dating from 1620, is located in a forest with centuries-old trees. The different sites lead from the densely built-up center and religious architecture into a wooded setting.

Bruncu Madugui and the beginnings of Nuragic culture

The protonuragic complex of Bruncu Madugui dates from the beginnings of the Nuragic civilization and is dated to the 16th to 14th century BC. Bruncu Madugui is considered a prototype of the architectural typology of corridor pseudo-nuraghi. About 100 meters away are the remains of a village of huts. Its huts were connected into settlement blocks and complement the picture of early settlement structures.

Religious festivals and local handicrafts

The celebrations of the Madonna d’Itria begin at Pentecost and last three days. They include a procession with ox-drawn Traccas, during which the statue of the Virgin Mary is carried from the parish church. During the festival, pilgrims keep watch over the statue with songs and prayers. The Holy Week celebrations in Gesturi also include processions and religious songs in the Sardinian language.

Gesturi has a handicraft tradition of making baskets from mastic shrubs and reeds. The agriturismi in Gesturi offer typical products such as sheep’s and goat’s cheese. Alongside nature and archaeology, these two areas also give your trip an insight into local materials, religious customs and regional products.

More destinations for orientation

If you would like to combine Gesturi with other places in the surrounding travel area, you will find the direct destinations here: Sanluri, Torre Dei Corsari, Arbus, Sant'antonio Di Santadi, Sardara, Marina Di Gutturu Flumini, Villamar and Guspini.

For the higher-level travel overview: Medio Campidano.