Stage 07 – from Nuxis to Piscinas (short)

DEPARTURE: Nuxis 191 m (asl)

ARRIVAL: Piscinas 65 m (asl)

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Length: 34.2 km

• Elevation gain: +389 m and –515 m

• Maximum incline: +12.7%

• Minimum incline: -10.9%

• Highest point: Church of Sant’Elia 248 m asl

 

STAGE DESCRIPTION:

Proceeding through the center of Nuxis and taking Via Santadi, you leave the town and, continuing along this road, you reach a short out-and-back that allows you to visit the Sacred Well of Tatinu and, shortly after, with another brief detour, the Byzantine Church of Sant’Elia.

The Sacred Well of Tatinu stands out from other similar structures in Sardinia as it lacks visible surface structures and a vestibule. The staircase (28–29 steps) and the water chamber together form a rectangular void. The well’s “bottle-shaped” cross-section, elliptical in plan, further differentiates it from other sacred wells in Sardinia.

The rural Church of Sant’Elia, dating back to the Byzantine era and built between the 9th and 12th centuries with small, uncut stones, features the typical Greek-cross layout, barrel vaults, and a central truncated-conical dome.

After visiting these two important sites, continue along the same path to Santadi, arriving at the Church of San Nicolò, located in the town’s upper part.

The Church of San Nicolò, which dates back to the 15th century and was rebuilt in the 19th century, marks the center of Santadi. Nearby, you can experience local traditions at the house-museum sa Domu Antiga. It’s also worth noting that at the beginning of August, the Mauritanian Wedding event takes place here, featuring ceremonies inspired by ancient rural traditions.

Also in the town center is the Archaeological Museum, showcasing interesting artifacts from the nearby site of Pani Loriga and other archaeological sites in the area. Continuing the route and passing through the town, turn onto Via Giardini and continue on its extension, Via Oristano, leaving Santadi.

Follow the dirt road parallel to Via Cagliari until you pass Santadi’s commercial district, then turn left to rejoin Via Cagliari. Shortly after, you’ll pass the roundabout and, on the left, see the renowned Cantina Sociale di Santadi winery, then continue toward Villaperuccio.

Entering Villaperuccio, soon turn left onto Via Eleonora D’Arborea, skirting the southern outskirts of the town, then leave via Via Santa Lucia heading south toward the small hamlet of Terrazzu.

As you reach the residential area, on the left you can see the imposing Luxia Arrabiosa Menhir (one of the tallest in Sardinia), a megalith erected in the Neolithic period.

Continuing along the road, you’ll soon reach a junction where, by turning left and proceeding along this route, you take a dirt road and soon follow the old railway track, arriving near the parking area serving the archaeological area of Pani Loriga (which can be visited by reservation and during opening hours).

Proceeding along the dirt roads south of the archaeological area, amidst local vineyards, you’ll reach the small village of Barrua de Basciu. Here, at the junction with the SP 70, if you turn left onto the dirt road, you can shorten the stage and go directly to Piscinas.

If you instead continue along the SS 70, you’ll reach the area of Su Benatzu, where the old barite mine can still be found in the small village. Continuing along the provincial road, you’ll soon come to the entrance of the Is Zuddas Caves, visitable by reservation and during opening hours.

Along the tourist route, which stretches for about 500 m, you can admire impressive stalactites and stalagmites, as well as flowstone and straws, and discover rare aragonite eccentric formations that make this karst complex unique. At the entrance, traces of the extinct Prolagus sardus, a rodent that once inhabited Sardinia and Corsica, can still be seen.

After exiting the site, take the SP70 northwards. At the first fork to the left, just before Su Benatzu, take the dirt road following the Rio di Murrecci towards Piascinas.

From this junction, turning right leads you onto the LONGER ROUTE*, proposed as a more comprehensive and challenging alternative to this stage.

After just under 7.5 km, you arrive in Piscinas, where you can visit the Moorish-style Villa Salasar*. Enter the town and reach the former train station, home to the Posada della Fondazione CMSB (soon to open as a HUB for the Cycle Route), where this stage ends.

 

*Designed by architect Giorgio Asproni, son of the namesake Sardinian deputy, and built at the end of the 19th century for the Salasar family of Iglesias, this is an elegant country villa also known as Villa Bice; in 2002 the municipal administration purchased and renovated it for use as a multipurpose cultural venue. Set within a fine park containing rare and centuries-old trees, the building features numerous rooms and has a U-shaped floor plan.