Sadali, the village of Barbagia with wild charm

Sadali is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, nestled in the wild Barbagia di Seulo at 750 meters above sea level.

Its name may derive from the Phoenician Sad-El, meaning “great fortress,” or from the sheep-farming area S’aili, linked to the legend of the shepherd founder.

The historic center, with cobblestone streets and stone houses, revolves around the Church of San Valentino, patron saint of the village, and the evocative waterfall of the same name, fed by natural springs. Next to it, a 17th-century mill tells the story of rural life in the past. Standing out is Casa Podda, an 18th–19th century noble residence with baroque decorations and servants’ quarters, a testimony to the village’s former prestige. The Mesu Idda area, with the chasm Sa Ucca Manna, collects the waters of the village.

Sadali has remained intact thanks to the relocation of the population in the 20th century.

What to see in Sadali

Sadali offers unique historical treasures: the Church of San Valentino, whose origins date back to the 5th–6th centuries, preserves 14th-century elements such as the large ogival portal and pointed arches, while the last restoration in the 1990s brought to light a perfectly preserved Roman kiln. Of great interest is also the Chapel of the Assumption, built between the 17th and 18th centuries.

The water mill, the only survivor of the original seven, is powered by the San Valentino waterfall and testifies to the local ingenuity of the 17th century, when the noble Regent Locci replaced the work of donkeys with the power of water, thus preserving part of the village’s historic industrial heritage.

Traditions and events of Sadali

Sadali preserves unique traditions: Carnival opens with Is Foghidonis, ancestral rites accompanied by bonfires in honor of Saint Anthony and Saint Sebastian, with music, dance, and the first appearance of the traditional mask of the Urtzos.

Every first Sunday of August, the festival of Is Culurgionis is celebrated—typical half-moon ravioli filled with potatoes, mint, garlic, and fresh pecorino cheese.

The village also celebrates Saint Valentine on October 6, its patron saint, with the ritual of scuttulai su santu, in which singles invoke him to find love, linking the celebrations to the agro-pastoral seasons and the prosperity of the harvests.

What to see around Sadali

Just a short distance from Sadali lies the Is Janas Cave, of karstic formation: it maintains a constant temperature of 12°C and humidity reaching up to 100%. The cave is of great interest for its archaeological finds dating back to 3000 BC and its fauna.

For those who prefer the outdoors, a visit to Su Stampu ’e Su Turrunu is recommended—a small waterfall that looks almost like a natural shower. It is located in the middle of a holm oak forest, where water falls from a hole in the karst rock into a kind of natural pool. Also not to be missed is the idyllic Piscina ’e Licona Waterfall.

Do not miss the priceless natural treasures of Sadali!

Cover photo credits: Wirestock Creators