Sinnai

Sinnai is a town north-east of Cagliari, at the foot of the hills rising towards the Sette Fratelli massif. Its territory is one of the most varied in southern Sardinia: from the old town, known for the art of basket weaving, you move to the wild woods of the Sette Fratelli, home of the Sardinian deer, and down to the crystal-clear sea of Solanas and Torre delle Stelle, on the coast leading to Villasimius. Sinnai is therefore an ideal base for combining sea, mountains and traditions close to Cagliari.

History

The area was inhabited in the Nuragic age, as nuraghi and village remains on the hills show. In Roman times it was linked to Karales, and in the Middle Ages the town belonged to the Giudicato of Cagliari, in the curatoria of Campidano. Under the Aragonese and Spanish it became a fief, and its economy was based on farming, herding and the use of the woods. In the 20th century the population grew with the development of the Cagliari area, and today Sinnai has over sixteen thousand inhabitants, with districts by the sea and in the mountains.

The town

The old centre keeps Campidano houses of stone and ladiri, with courtyards and gateways. The parish church of Santa Barbara, with its bell tower, is the religious heart of the town. In the district of San Gregorio stands a small Gothic church surrounded by greenery. Sinnai is famous for basketry: for centuries the town's women have woven rush, asphodel, dwarf palm and straw into decorated baskets and trays, once used for bread, grain and sweets. Today these objects are true works of art, to be admired in workshops and exhibitions.

The Sette Fratelli

Behind Sinnai rises the Sette Fratelli massif, named after its seven granite peaks. It is one of the largest and wildest natural areas in Sardinia, covered by forests of holm oak, cork oak, strawberry tree and maquis, crossed by streams and trails. It is home to one of the main populations of Sardinian deer, as well as fallow deer, wild boar, eagles and goshawks. The state forest has a visitor centre and is perfect for hiking and mountain biking.

The sea

Sinnai's coast faces the south-eastern sea, along the scenic road from Cagliari to Villasimius. Solanas is a small resort with a golden sand beach enclosed by hills and clear water. Torre delle Stelle, shared between Sinnai and Maracalagonis, is a residential village with rocky coves and small beaches such as Cann'e Sisa and Genn'e Mari. The water is clear and ideal for snorkelling.

Festivals

The feast of Santa Barbara, the patron saint, is held in December, and in summer there are religious feasts and food fairs with processions, traditional costumes and music. In January the Sant'Antonio bonfires are lit. At festivals the woven baskets and traditional sweets are displayed.

Food

Sinnai cooking blends the flavours of the mountains and the Campidano: roast meats, wild boar, cheese, homemade bread, malloreddus and culurgiones, and fish in the coastal districts. Sweets include pardulas, pabassinas and amaretti. The wines are Cannonau and Monica.

Getting there

Sinnai is about 20 minutes from Cagliari and 30 from Elmas airport. The coastal districts are reached along the coast road to Villasimius. From here you easily visit Maracalagonis, Settimo San Pietro, Quartu Sant'Elena and the Sette Fratelli Park.

What to see

• Foresta dei Sette Fratelli
• Beach of Solanas
• Old town con le case in làdiri
• Domus de janas of Santu Basileddu

Festivals and traditions

• Santa VittoriaJune

Nearby beaches

• Poetto11 km

Nearby hikes

• Sella del Diavolo13 km
• Foresta dei Sette Fratelli19 km

Nearby towns

• Settimo San Pietro · 2 km
• Maracalagonis · 2 km
• Quartucciu · 5 km
• Selargius · 6 km
• Soleminis · 6 km
• Quartu Sant'Elena · 7 km
• Monserrato · 7 km
• Dolianova · 9 km

Sources: Grande Enciclopedia della Sardegna; ISTAT. Original texts by Gotosardinia.