Laconi and the Sarcidano Region
The Historical Region of Sarcidano
The Sarcidano region extends between the Campidano plain and the Barbagia mountains, straddling the provinces of Oristano and South Sardinia. The dominant geographical feature is the Laconi plateau—the largest limestone tableland in Sardinia—alongside the artificial lakes of Mulargia and Flumendosa. The region is dotted with numerous Nuragic archaeological remains.
Overview of Laconi
Laconi (Làcuni in Sardinian) is an inland mountain center situated in the central part of Sardinia on a ridge of the Sarcidano plateau. Its territory is among the most varied and rich in natural and geological resources, featuring vast forests, dozens of springs, and the picturesque Passo Ortuabis. The municipality includes three distinct hamlets: Crastu (in the plain), Santa Sofia, and Su Lau (on the Sarcidano plateau).
Origins & History: Attested since 1341 (Lacone, Lacono), the name likely derives from the Paleo-Sardinian terms Lácuna or Láhana (referring to a pool of rainwater on rock) or Láccana (boundary marker), or alternatively from the Latin Lacus (“lake”). Inhabited since the Early Neolithic, the territory preserves significant Pre-Nuragic, Nuragic, Punic (5th-century BC fortification), and Roman remnants. Medieval Laconi gave rise to the powerful Lacon judicial dynasty (Lacon-Gunale, Lacon-Serra, Lacon-Zori, Lacon-Massa). Following Aragonese and Spanish rule, it became a marquisate under the Castelvì and Aymerich families until the abolition of feudalism in 1839.
Notable Figures:
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Saint Ignatius of Laconi (1701–1781): Born Vincenzo Peis in Laconi, he became a Capuchin lay brother in Cagliari known for his lifelong humility, charity, and spiritual guidance among the poor. Canonized by the Catholic Church, he is one of Sardinia’s most venerated saints.
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Ignazio Aymerich (1808–?): A senator, intellectual, and landowner who served as a deputy in the first Subalpine Parliament in Turin, advocating for agricultural reform.
Key Sites & Cultural Highlights:
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Parish Church of Sant’Ambrogio (Diocesan Sanctuary): Built in the 16th century in Catalan-Gothic style, rebuilt with a dome in 1823, and declared a diocesan sanctuary in 1987. It features a trachyte facade and a dedicated chapel housing mosaics depicting the life of Saint Ignatius.
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Palazzo Aymerich & Museum of Statue-Menhirs: A 19th-century neoclassical palace designed by architect Gaetano Cima, which now houses the Museum of Prehistoric Statue-Menhirs. The museum displays an extraordinary collection of anthropomorphic statues and menhirs (such as Barrìli II) recovered from local sites like Perda Iddocca.
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Aymerich Park (Parco Aymerich): Created in the mid-19th century around the ruins of an 11th-century castle (Castello Aymerich), featuring streams, ponds, rare exotic plants, and a majestic 500-year-old Lebanon cedar.
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Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius (Birthplace): The house where Saint Ignatius was born in 1701, transformed into a sanctuary and place of deep spiritual devotion.