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Mountains and nature are at the centre of Giuseppe Dessì’s poetry; those best described can be found in the territory of Villacidro, but the evocative magic includes the entire territory of Parte d’Ispi, defended as it is by the Linas massif.
Starting from Villacidro, some particularly impressive places can be mentioned, those cited by the author.
The Vallata di Narti (Narti Valley), still today, is one of the most fertile and lush areas in the Villacidro countryside, cultivated since by gone times, it is the scenery of the insane journey that caused the death of Don Francesco, during his trip towards Balanotti. It is easy, even today to admire beautiful orange and olive groves with centuries old olive trees that still produce in this area. The area can be reached by car and several paths part from here leading to dense woods.
Opposite Narti valley, but on the other side of the Leni river bank, the San Sisinnio hill stretches out, citrus fruit and olives are cultivated here, and the country church dedicated to the martyr saint of Villacidro, venerated for having freed the town of witchesalso resides here. It is a somewhat magical place; it hosts a beautiful millenary olive grove park that encircles the old church which is cited on more than one occasion in several of Dessì’s works. The marvellous Matzanni can also be reached in the area of Villacidro, as it is situated on the boundary between Villacidro, Vallermosa and Domusnovas.
It is located on the summit of Cuccurdoni Mannu, from which it is possible to admire the entire Cixerri valley and the mountains of Villacidro. An important archaeological site can be found here that hosts three Nuraghic well temples and the ruins of a small Punic temple. The archaeological area can be reached on foot via an impressive mountain path rich in vegetation.
In the novel Paese d’ombre it is referred to as Escolca, rich in forests that Angelo Uras tries his hardest to salvage and protect from being felled by the lumber jacks looking for wood to supply the foundry: it is the Park of Mount Mannu, renowned for it environmental richness. Leni River was created within one of its narrow gorges. There are also numerous natural springs and woods. From here one can, via several trekking paths, reach some of the most impressive waterfalls in Sardinia (Muru Mannu and Piscina Irgas), admire rare plants and animal species and live ones days in complete harmony with nature.
Moving towards nearby Guspini, still at Villacidro, the granite needles of Giarranas act like sentries to the granite gorge that encases the Spendula waterfall; the park and the environmental places of esteem, that can be visited via other methods other than the car, multiply; amongst the most impressive mountainous destinations, there is Montevecchio, where the mining quarter and the old abandoned structures are surrounded and almost engulfed by lush dense vegetation. Mount Arcuentu, another charming destination, Ercole Mountain or even the mountain of wind, whose moles accompany those that head towards the sea from inland towards the long extensive coast of Arbus. On its summit one can find remains of an old castle and an old hermit’s hut, who passes time there alone in meditation every year.
Heading towards the sea, mountainous panoramas are abundant, especially that of Fluminimaggiore, whose mountains are walked by several excursion itineraries that reserving moving surprises.
The park’s mountains and valleys are visitable via several routes and itineraries that via woods and rocky walls lead to the highest summits and impressive scenery. It is not uncommon to come across obvious traces of past human activity along ones path: lumber jack and forester’s huts, charcoal burners, pork and goat pens; men that have lived in perfect symbiosis with the mountains for generations, actually making a living from it.
