Cagliari - Region Attractions

24km/15mi northeast of Sanluri is the village of Barumini, near which (1km/0.75mi west, to the left of the road to Tuili) is the largest nuraghic village in Sardinia, Su Nuraxi, with 396 houses and a massive central structure with several towers.

From Sanluri S.S. 197 runs west to the wooded Costa Verde, a coastal region now being developed as a popular holiday area, with new roads, hotels and sports facilities.

From Palau there is a boat service several times daily (30minutes) to La Maddalena (19m/63ft; pop. 11,000), a port on the island of the same name (157m/518ft; area 20 sq.km/7 sq.mi), which together with the neighboring islands was strongly fortified until the Second World War, commanding the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica.

Monastir (83m/274ft) is a village of Oriental aspect on the slopes of a volcanic hill, with rock-cut tombs. 5.5km/3.5mi southwest at San Sperate is an open-air museum of modern sculpture. Beyond Monastir the road follows the east edge of the Campidano plain.

Quartu Sant'Elena (6m/20ft; pop. 42,000) is a thriving town. On the feast of St Helena (May 21st) there is a picturesque procession of richly decked teams of oxen. The parish church has a large altarpiece, probably by Antioco Mainas (16th century).

An interesting trip can be made to the nature reserve of San Vero Milis, 21km/13mi northwest of Cagliari. This is a marshy area, and numerous flamingoes can be seen here in September and October.

Sanluri (135m/446ft; pop. 8,000) is a town with a 14th century castle containing a "Risorgimento" museum.

By the little church of Santa Anastasia is an underground spring sanctuary of nuraghic type. 3km/2mi west is a small spa with thermal springs (50 and 68 °C/122 and 154 °F).