The north of Sardegna, brimming with beautiful villages… and steeped in history
The villages of Northern Sardinia are one of the greatest treasures this region has to offer.
They are quiet, peaceful places, guardians of ancient history and fascinating traditions.
We’d like to tell you about four villages in the hinterland: our favourite villages today are Sennori, Banari, Martis and Siligo.
The village of Sennori
Sennori is a charming village in Northern Sardinia, laid out in an amphitheatre and nestled on a hill of calcareous tuff, overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Asinara.
Sennori is a town renowned for its olive oil and wine, thanks to the lush crops along the valley through which the River Silis flows.
We recommend sampling the excellent local produce during your visit: wines, olive oil, sweets and other unmissable delicacies.
Sennori is famous for its artisanal traditions, which are reflected in the art of basket-weaving and its famous traditional dress: it boasts no fewer than four women’s variations, among the most exquisite in Sardegna. Let’s take a short sightseeing tour to discover part of this village’s fascinating history:
- Admire the breathtaking view from the 17th-century Church of San Basilio Magno
- Visit the rural Church of St John the Baptist, where the festival of the same name takes place, featuring a procession on foot and on horseback, with the exquisite traditional Sennori costume
- Discover the past of Sardegna by visiting the Domus de Janas, the ‘Houses of the Fairies’: small family cemeteries carved into the rock, dating back to the Neolithic period. The Domus de Janas in Sennori belongs to the parish and is one of the most interesting on the island, thanks to its great structural and decorative merit.
- Experience a magical Sardinian summer event, set amidst the evocative tuff quarry: Cavart
The village of Banari
Banari is a picturesque village in the Northern Sardinia
, in the heart of the ancient Giudicato of Torres
, one of the four kingdoms into which the island was divided in the
Middle Ages
.
A short itinerary to soak up the magical atmosphere of Banari:
- Pinnettas de pedra
These were shelters for shepherds who spent their lives away from their families, tending to their livestock. This type of Thòlos-style construction is unique to this corner of Sardegna. A heritage of wisdom, expertise and unrivalled craftsmanship.
- Basilica of St Lawrence the Martyr
Dedicated to the Catholic faith, it is the seat of the parish of the same name and forms part of the Archdiocese of Sassari. Originally built in the Romanesque style (13th century), the façade was later completely rebuilt in the Neoclassical style (19th century)
- “S’Adde Manna” – “The Great Valley”
A breathtaking route surrounded by nature. This marvellous valley at the foot of Banari is rich in fertile land, springs and waterfalls, ancient trees, pastures and cultivated fields. A natural site of great charm and an oasis for the protection of flora and fauna.
- Abbey of Santa Maria di Seve
It is one of the most important sites in the Banari area: it comprises the Romanesque church, an enclosed courtyard with a well, and several buildings known as the ‘hermitage’. The area has been home to human settlements since the era of the Ozieri (2500/2000 BC), as evidenced by the presence of nuraghi and Domus de Janas. Banari holds a festival in honour of one of the area’s most delicious produce: the onion. The Banari Onion Festival
will help you get to know this beautiful area even better. 
The village of Martis
Martis is a stunning village nestled amongst rolling hills
and deep sedimentary and volcanic valleys, characterised by striking monuments and
enchanting landscapes
.
4 tips for a day exploring Martis:
- The “Carrucana” Petrified Forest
You’ll be enchanted by the fascinating metamorphosis of the trees into stone, linked to intense volcanic activity millions of years ago, which created micro-environments containing various types of fossils.
You’ll admire splendid opal and chalcedony mineralisation, quartz crystals and silicification that have completely transformed the plants into minerals.
- Triulintas Waterfall
Along the canyon in the Badde Traes gorge, a 15-metre drop forms the Triulintas Waterfall, whose waters create a small lake. Water plants, willows and elms frame this picturesque scene.
- Church of San Pantaleo
This is the village’s most important church, built in the 13th–14th centuries in the Romanesque-Gothic style.
The façade is dominated by a Romanesque portal and a two-coloured rose window. The chancel once housed *The Miracle of Saint Pantaleo*, a work by the Mannerist artist Andrea Lusso (1595), now kept in the parish church of Saint Joseph
- The streets of the historic centre
This small village is home to just over 500 inhabitants. A stroll through the centre allows you to admire its ancient remains: buildings adorned with cornices, wrought-iron balconies, majestic portals and elegant roof terraces, the work of stonemasons from the Catalan school (16th–17th centuries). 
The village of Siligo
Siligo is a small village in the heart of Logudoro, situated at an altitude of 400 metres on the slopes of Mount Sant’Antonio.
The landscape is striking and unusual, characterised by extinct volcanoes, limestone and basalt hills, and significant archaeological remains, bearing witness to an ancient prehistoric civilisation.
We recommend four must-see stops during your visit:
- Monte Santo
This is an ancient, extinct volcanic cone overlooking the Meilogu region. A charming and peaceful spot, where a lovely church dedicated to Saint Elijah and Saint Enoch has been built.
- Church of San Vincenzo Ferrer
This picturesque country church stands 3 kilometres from the village. It dates back to the 17th century and was, in the past, the parish church of the vanished village of Villanova Montesanto. The village’s most important religious festival takes place during the last week of August.
- The murals
The ancient and illustrious history of this village is also told through murals created by prominent Sardinian artists.
They recount stories of the area and of figures linked to Siligo, through the artistic medium of the mural, which is very popular and much loved in Sardegna.
- The Maria Carta Museum
Inside, the exhibition traces the personal and artistic journey of Maria Carta, the Sardinian singer-songwriter and actress admired worldwide. Organised into thematic sections, it houses photographs, film clips, costumes and memorabilia belonging to the artist from Siligo.
Siligo also dedicates a major event to this extraordinary woman: the Maria Carta Award. 
