Overview of Genoni
Genoni (Geròni in Sardinian) is an agropastoral center situated on the southwestern slopes of the Giara di Gesturi plateau, facing the hills of the Marmilla region. The municipal territory encompasses roughly 1,700 hectares of the Giara plateau. Its economy is primarily driven by agriculture (cereal, wheat, vegetables, forage, olives, and vineyards) and livestock breeding.
Origins & History:
The name is attested since the Middle Ages (Gennane, Genatas, Genadas) and is of pre-Latin, Paleo-Sardinian origin, though some scholars connect it to the Latin Iunonis (Templum Iunonis). Inhabited since prehistory, Genoni belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea (Parte Valenza curatoria) in the Middle Ages, later passing to Aragonese rule under the Sena (Viscounts of Sanluri) and the County of Laconi until the abolition of feudalism in 1839. In 2016, Genoni was transferred to the Province of South Sardinia, uniting it with the other Sarcidano municipalities (except Laconi).
Key Sites & Cultural Highlights:
- Parish Church of Santa Barbara Vergine e Martire: Originally built around the 12th century as a secondary church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, it was later expanded into a large parish church featuring a Late Gothic cross-vault, 18th-century wooden retables (Santissimo Crocifisso and Santi Coronari), and a fine bell tower.
- Convent of San Sebastiano: Founded by the Franciscan Minor Observants in 1638, housing an orphanage through the 19th century before its 1862 state closure. Its restored ruins and terraced gardens are open to visitors.
- Paleo Archeo Center (PAC): A modern paleontological and archaeological museum located at the foot of Mount Santu Antine, featuring exhibits on regional fossils alongside reconstructions of the deep Nuragic well located on the plateau.
- Santu Antine Mount & Sacred Well: Rising 590 meters above sea level, Mount Santu Antine preserves the remains of Punic fortifications and a deep 40-meter Nuragic well (Pozzo nuragico di Santu Antine), the deepest discovered in Sardinia.
- Giara di Gesturi Plateau & Wild Horses: A basaltic tableland spanning 42 square kilometers, famed for its permanent wetlands (paùlis) like Paùli Maiori and as the natural habitat of roughly 700 wild horses (Equus Caballus Jarae or Is Cuaddeddus). Traditional round-ups and microchipping events (marchiatura) take place in spring and autumn.