Isili and the Sarcidano Region
The Historical Region of Sarcidano
The Sarcidano region stretches between the Campidano plain and the Barbagia mountains across the southern provinces. Dominated by the Laconi limestone plateau and watered by the Mulargia and Flumendosa artificial reservoirs, the territory is rich in prehistoric Nuragic monuments.
Overview of Isili
Isili is a hill town situated on the southern edge of the Sarcidano plateau beneath Pizzo Trempu. Historically rooted in agriculture, pastoralism, and craftsmanship, its economy has transitioned toward the tertiary sector. Isili is internationally renowned for its copper-smithing traditions (using a secret artisan jargon called Romaniska or Arbareska) and traditional textile weaving (Pibiones).
Origins & History: The name likely derives from the Latin Ilex (“holm oak”), reflecting the area’s ancient abundance of oak forests. Inhabited since the Neolithic (domus de janas and nuraghi) and Roman times, medieval Isili belonged to the Giudicato of Cagliari within the Siurgus curatoria. Following Pisan and Aragonese rule, it was incorporated into the Duchy of Mandas under the Carroz, Maza, and Telles-Giron families until 1839. From 1821 to 1859, Isili served as a provincial capital.
Notable Figures:
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Pietro Mura (1901–1966): A native poet and master craftsman (aribari) from Isili, celebrated as one of the preeminent poets in limba and philologists of 20th-century Sardinia.
Key Sites & Cultural Highlights:
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Parish Church of San Saturno Martire: Situated on the highest rocky tacco of the historic center, built in the 14th century and modified in the 18th century into a single-nave Catalan-Gothic layout with nine marble side chapels and two bell towers.
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Museum for the Art of Copper and Textile (Museo per l’Arte del Rame e del Tessuto): Housed in a former Piarist convent, showcasing historical copper artifacts and traditional Pibiones tapestries.
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Is Paras Nuraghe: A monumental trilobed complex nuraghe constructed from white limestone blocks, featuring a majestic central tholos chamber standing nearly 10 meters high (the tallest and best-preserved in Sardinia) and exhibiting the solstice “Apical Light Hole” (Luce dal foro apicale) phenomenon.
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Lake Is Barrocus & St. Sebastian Church: An artificial reservoir formed by a dam across the Flumini Mannu river, featuring an islet crowned by the rustic country church of San Sebastiano.
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Rio Brabaciera Archaeo-Astronomy: A valley containing 33 nuraghi (including Is Paras, Longu, and Maurus) whose geographic alignments serve as precise geometric and astronomical markers for solstices and lunar standstills (lunistizi).