Discover the enchanting town of Esterzili, also known as Istersili or Stersili in Sardinian. Situated in the province of South Sardinia, within the historic subregion of Barbagia di Seùlo, this Italian municipality with approximately 637 inhabitants is a hidden gem waiting to be explored by travel enthusiasts.
Nestled at the foot of Mount Santa Vittoria (1212 m above sea level), Esterzili boasts one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Sardinia, offering commanding views of the surrounding region. With a rich history dating back to pre-Nuragic and Nuragic times, this beautiful destination is steeped in ancient heritage.
Explore numerous significant archaeological sites scattered throughout the area, including temples, giants’ tombs, fairy houses (domus de janas), nuraghi towers, and Sardinian bronzes. Noteworthy among them is the imposing megalithic structure known as Domu de Orgia.
- Roman Era: Explore the famous Bronze Tablet of Esterzili, an inscription recounting a dispute between two local populations of that period.
- Medieval Period: Having belonged to the Judicate of Cagliari and later to the Pisans and Aragonese rulers, Esterzili witnessed diverse dominations until the abolition of feudalism in 1839.
The churches in Esterzili are part of the ecclesiastical district of Seui, where the local variant of Sardinian spoken is Southern Barbaricino Campidanese. Each year, the town hosts festivities like Frigadòri and Cocoèddas to celebrate typical local products such as potato-filled Cocoèddas and Frigadòri, an onion bread delicacy.
This folkloric event features traditional musical performances and dances emblematic of Sardinian culture. Moreover, nearby lies the historic Mandas-Arbatax railway line now serving tourist purposes through ARST’s Trenino Verde service.
Esterzili stands out as a hidden gem for history buffs and lovers of Sardinian culinary traditions alike. Embark on a journey to uncover its ancient past and vibrant cultural heritage!
