CASTIADAS

The Island of Serpentara with the beaches of Cala Sinzias and Cala Pira are a prelude to Castiadas’ unforgettable 20km of coastline which, thanks to the completeness of its environmental heritage, has been named one of the top three Italian municipalities. Its status is also due to the mountains behind the beaches forming part of the Sette Fratelli-Monte Genis Park. There are plenty of excursions for mountain bikes, horseriders and off-road vehicles, including an ancient footpath amidst ilexes and oak trees climbing Mount Minniminni (723 m), where you can admire the coast of Villasimius and Castiadas, in addition to the majestic peaks of the Sette Fratelli (Seven Brothers) that range from 800 to 1016 metres in height. The landscape is dotted with sparkling lakes and rocky outcrops such as the area of Cuili Lai, and Mediterranean flora such as myrtle, rock rose, rosemary and strawberry-tree. The area is rich in wildlife, being home to Sardinian deer, fallow deer, martens, Bonelli’s eagles, peregrine falcons, wild cats, red peaks and buzzards.

WHAT TO SEE

The wonderful megalithic complex of Cuili Piras (3000 BC) , in the area of Muravera and extremely close to Tiliguerta, and ‘sa Domu de s’Orcu’, the remains of the most important Nuraghe in south-east Sardinia, dating from the proto-Sardinians and the Nuragic peoples who first lived in these areas. The settlement of Castiadas, decimated by malaria and pirate raids, was abandoned in the fifteenth century and refounded in 1875 when a handful of prisoners and guards from Cagliari landed in Cala Sinzias with the task of reclaiming the countryside and building a penal colony, which became the largest in Italy. The colony was subsequently abolished in 1953 but its neo-classical linear structures have since been recovered and the place now houses various displays. With no town centre, Castiadas consists of scattered rural hamlets such as Camisa, S. Pietro and Annunziata, the most important of which is Olia Speciosa, home to the Town Hall. The penal colony was built near the medieval settlement, located at an altitude of 167 metres on the slopes of mountains and providing quick and safe refuge in case of danger.

FOOD AND WINE

Thanks to a climate which remains mild for much of the year, Castiadas produces high-quality fruit and vegetables. Almond and fresh cheese cakes such as ‘pardulas’ and ‘sebadas’ are produced in Camisa, as well as naturally-leavened super-fine bread baked in a wood oven, called ‘su civraxiu’. The Cantina Sociale di Castiadas has been operating since 1959, producing and bottling wine from most of the area’s grapes; it also sells the excellent ‘Capo Ferrato’ Cannonau.