Eng
“Domus de Janas” is a Sardinian expression meaning “fairy houses”. This name was given to them in medieval times: indeed, these thousands of small caves scattered throughout Sardegna appeared to the ancient Sardinians to be the dwellings of fairies and witches. Some legends tell of unspiritual beings, demons, halfway between the human world and the divine world. In reality, the Domus de Janas were the tombs of the dead from the pre-Nuragic era, very often
decorated with bas-reliefs and painted in red ochre, representing symbols of ancient cults.
The Domus de Janas in Northern Sardinia are numerous and very significant; you can find them near many locations: Alghero, Sedini, Sassari (see the Domus de Janas at Montalè), Bonorva and many others.
Photo credit: cristianocani on Visual Hunt / CC BY
Explore the culture and nature of Northern Sardinia: places to discover, local dishes, traditions and stories from the region.
Sardegna has a wine-making tradition stretching back thousands of years; the earliest evidence of wine-making dates as far back as 1400 BC.
There is a story linked to the island of Tavolara which tells that King Carlo Alberto of Savoy appointed his only son as king of the island.
The Ludurru necropolis is situated in Buddusò, and the domus de janas date back to 3200–2800 BC, famous examples of the Sardegna Neolithic period
The Neptune Caves are spectacular caves dating back to prehistoric times. They are located at Alghero, in Northern Sardinia
The Church of St Francis in Alghero is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture in Sardegna
The Church of the Holy Trinity in Saccargia is the most famous and fascinating medieval church in Sardegna
