Seneghe: a window to authentic Sardinia
An immersion in tradition: from oil to dances to horse racing
Where is
What is and where is Seneghe
Seneghe is a town in the province of Oristano where you can immerse yourself in the most authentic Sardinia. Here you can find traces of the Nuragic civilization, but also of the Aragonese period. Here you immerse yourself in Sardinian traditions, such as folk dances, typical costumes and horse races. Here you taste intoxicating olive oil, and accompany it with meats and cheeses characteristic of the area. All this, not too far from the wonderful Sardinian sea. And who's going to miss it?
Why it's special
The nucleus of Seneghe is nestled in the green Sardinian hinterland. A 36-meter-high dome that belongs to the parish church, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, stands out on the town's roofs.Inside, the church is a riot of colors, including frescoes and geometric shapes. The latter recall Aragonese motifs (but also a bit Arabian), so much so that in the perspective of the arches connecting the side chapels, it seems to revisit some of the geometries of the Alhambra. A walk through the center leads to the discovery of various public and private buildings that tell the story of the town's history. Many are decorated with local basalt and tuff stones.
Not to be missed: festival sites
Not far from the parish church is the Piazza dei Balli. As the name suggests, this is the place to go at carnival for traditional dances, a must-see spectacle for lovers of traditions. On July 2, however, it is best to go to the edge of town, where there is the small country church of Santa Maria della Rosa. This is the site of Seneghe's most important festival, dedicated to Santa Maria, during which the Ardia, a horse race, also takes place.
Fun fact: water in Seneghe.
No town can live without water, and the converse also applies to Seneghe: it is not crossed by a river, but the subsoil is rich in water. In the center there are several wells and troughs that have always characterized the life of the village.
Excursions in the surroundings, between history and nature
The town of Seneghe is located 300 meters above sea level, in the Montiferru area. Several hiking routes depart from here, allowing you to enjoy wonderful views, walk among olive groves, and pass by ancient nuraghi, of which Seneghe is particularly rich. You can also get to some of the most beautiful beaches in the area and take advantage of the wonderful sea of the Sardinian coast.
Seneghe, city of oil
The olive groves in the Seneghe area are special: they cover 200 hectares and produce excellent oil, so much so that the municipality can boast the"Ercole Olivario," the most prestigious award in Italy for the production of edible oil. And Seneghe's records in this regard continue: it is among the founding municipalities of the "Oil Cities" circuit, and hosts the "Montiferru Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition." It is also home to the "Prentzas Apertas" event, which sees the area's ancient oil mills open to the public.
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