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Sa Spendula simply means "waterfall" in Sardinian: it has never needed another name to define it: it is the only waterfall with that name in the entire territory, the waterfall par excellence, the natural monument that best portrays Villacidro, a place known through out Sardinia that has always been a welcome destination for whoever comes to the town, in one way or another.
Sa Spendula is an exceptional fall, originating from the Coxinas torrent, that travels down towards Campidano, along a narrow and deep gorge that at a certain point leans to one side forming three falls, the last of which is some 30 meters long. Immersed in an amazing scenery of granite rocks amongst the savage mountains that form a ring around it, this waterfall has received homage from travelers and very special tourists, amongst which Gabriele D'Annunzio who on the occasion of his visit to Villacidro in 1882 dedicated it a sonnet.
Author’s words
La Spendula
Dense di celidonie e di spineti - The rocks densely covered in Swallow wort
le rocce mi si drizzano davanti - and thorn bush stood in front of me like a
come uno strano popolo d’atleti - strange population of athletes turned into
pietrificato per virtù d’incanti. - stone by the power of a spell.
Sotto fremono a ‘l vento ampi i mirteti - Beneath, the wild blueberry bushes tremble to
selvaggi e li oleandri fluttuanti - the vast wind and the oleander wavering green
verde plebe di nani; giù pei greti - common dwarf people; down to the pebble river
van l’acque della Spendula croscianti. - banks goes the water of the Spendula pelt.
Sopra, il ciel grigio, eguale. A l’umidore - Above, the grey sky, the same. From the
della pioggia un’acredine d’effluvi - dampness of the rain a fierce acidic odour
aspra esalano i timi e le mortelle. - is emited from thyme and myrtle.
Ne la conca verdissima il pastore, - In the oh so green basin the shepherd
come fauno di bronzo, erto su ‘l càlcare - was like bronze fauna, erect on limestone
guarda immobile, avvolto in una pelle. - he stands still, covered in sheep’s fur.
(G. D’Annunzio)
…If I touch the water of “la Spendula”, I know what that water is made of, if I take a pebble, I get an understanding of that pebble down to the molecule, the atom.. (Giuseppe Dessì – Un pezzo di luna)
…They took the road that skirts along the far slopes of Mount Volpe, passes under the "Sa Spendula" waterfall, in that season abundant in water that foams amongst the swallow wort, oleander and the large bramble bushes. The air was filled with the waterfall’s rumble and dusty humidity that, even far away, moistened the leaves on the trees and the hunters’ faces. The road became narrower snaking under a canopy of branches of the enormous oak trees and ancient Holm-oak.. (Giuseppe Dessì – Paese d’ombre)
