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There are no precise records regarding the date of construction of this church, dedicated to the martyr Sisinnio from Villacidro (122 - 186). Already considered ancient in the XVII century, a small parchment preserved in the Saint’s shrine testifies it was most probably built in the XI – XII centuries. The church’s large dimension, the lateral chapels inside the church, the three-sided external portico, alldifferentiate it from the majority of Sardinian country churches giving it an unusual architectural style. The present day establishment dates back to 1600, however, the church underwent a few restorations through out the centuries. Today it appears with a barrel vault, surrounded by a three-sided portico from the 600s made from woven cane and supported by stone pillars.
Inside, besides the Saint’s effigy, an old hexagonal pulpit is still admirable, richly worked and ornate with anthropomorphic decorations and symbols.
San Sisinnio is the “martyr of Villacidro”, a tradition now accepted by all. He was born in the village of Leni, an old and rich quarter that no longer exists. It once stood along the banks of the Leni River. A tireless preacher of God’s words, who did not believe in superstitions, witches and their witchcraft, as well as protectors of the weak and the oppressed. He was tortured, martyred and beat to death in 185 a.c, at the age of 62, due to his beliefs.
He is renown and venerated for his struggle against the witches “ is cogas” that represented “forces of evil” through their different spells (flies, snakes, and locusts) and tormented the superstitious life of the locals. Sisinnio annihilated them, onceandfor all eradicating superstitions and ignorance from the minds of the devoted. Still today it is believed that during the days in which he is remembered and celebrated, flies can no longer be seen in the vicinity of the country church, terrorized, they lie in hiding in the twisted olive tree trunks in fear of the Saint’s rage.
Author’s words
"I once knew a Saint that had a bizarre destiny. I knew him, as he was a Saint from my village, a relative as such. He was a farmer like the others. Everyone is a farmer from where I come from…" (Giuseppe Dessì - Un pezzo di Luna)
A natural exhibition of amazing beauty can be experienced in the millenary “Parco di olivastri” (Olive grove Park) that surrounds the San Sisinnio church, a true treasure within the riches of the environmental patrimony of Villacidro. It is one of the most important olive groves in Sardinia; some specimens can reach a height of up to 13 meters and have a trunk circumference of more than 5 meters. Their exaggerated forms offer an impressive and magical scenario to the century old San Sisinnio legend, he that exterminated the horrific witches in many a way.
Author’s words
"…No plant is domestic like these oliveplants, that remind me of hunkered down pachyderms with their enormous trunks. […] These …are beyond man’s understanding of order and symmetry. […] They are rough and rugged trees just like these stones, they also have the same gray colouring, full of slow and powerful vigor." (Giuseppe Dessì - San Silvano)
