Best Trekking in Cagliari: Sella del Diavolo.
Visible from anywhere in the city, Sella del Diavolo becomes a real point of view in the capital of the Sardinia island. One of the best trekking in Cagliari city, indeed! The path that leads to the top of the promontory, named Sant’Elia, is a pleasant walking-experience that, during the spring time, is a kind of day-dream!
Sa Sedda ‘e Su Diaulu (in Sardu language, Devil’s Saddle in English), we’d like to tell you about it as, yesterday we shot some pictures just for you! So, follow us! 🙂
In this post we are writing about:
- Where this trekking in Cagliari is located?
- How the Devil’s Saddle trekking in Cagliari is?
- What’s about the wildness on this trekking in Cagliari?
- Some History about the Devil’s Saddle trekking in Cagliari, please!
- Is Sport allowed on the Devil’s Saddle trekking in Cagliari?
- Where the name Devil’s Saddle comes up?
How to reach this trekking in Cagliari starting point?
From the city center of Cagliari, with public bus CTM #5, #11 or #5/11 (active on festivities) within ten minutes you reach the ride-terminus of Cala Mosca, from here you continue by walk until you meet the beginning of the path that very easy heads to the Belvedere-Top of the Hill.
How is this trekking in Cagliari?
The view from there is just amazing!
It takes your breath away!
The city, the salt pans, the Molentargius Park, the entire Gulf of Angels from Capo Boe (Villasimius) to Pula. The sea that, at a few hundred meters below, is so transparent and unreal!
Nature, archeology, hiking, trekking and even sports such as running and mountain biking, on the Devil’s Saddle can be enjoyed!
As you can see, we have selected some photos to get you involved in the beauty of this place that rises inside the city, at the same time, constitutes an authentic world of biodiversity, unspoiled nature and breathtaking views!
Are you searching any tips about a trekking in Cagliari or nearby? This is the perfect choice for you!
Wildness on the Sella del Diavolo promontory.
Here you can see hovering in the sky species of birds such as the: European Shag, Black headed Gulls, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Barbary Partridge. In addition to many endemic reptiles and mammals.
In Spring the bloom of countless plants daze! Iris, Buttercup, Mimosa, Juniper and Euphorbia in addition to the endless families of Broom.
History & Archeology.
New excavation phase is heading to the ancient temple of Astarte: mother goddess for the Phoenicians, frequenters in ancient times of the Gulf of Cagliari, but also of the ancient Byzantine church of Sant’Elia. The ancient Roman cistern (still active) and also the Punic one not far away.
The whole area has always been inhabited by man, countless caves that the sea and the winds carved into the soft tufaceous stone still show about it. In addition to more legible pre-historical evidence there are the ruins of the monastery of the Vittorini fathers.
They came from Marseilles, to whom the bishop of Cagliari in the eleventh century had granted large areas, just out Cagliari city, cultivable or manageable like the Sant’Elia’s Hill from where they took care of the salt pans, fish and the orchards on the slopes of the hill.
During the Aragonese-Spanish domain the Sella del Diavolo became a perfect sighting place on the entire gulf, the Pisan Tower “della Lanterna“ was erected in 1282 on the highest part of the promontory was restored and they built the tower of the “Pouhet” that still today named the entire beach below called Poetto which means “well” for the proximity of another Roman cistern of water. The towers will also be used during the Savoy period until at least 1867.
In the 900s, forts, deposits and constructions will be built by Italian Army that become really useful during the II world war. Even today the promontory is still largely a military area, this has, however, guaranteed salvation from the constructive madness of the 60-80s. For further infos please visit Cagliari Turismo.
Sport & Relax.
Authentic destination in the city for lovers of hiking and ecology, armed with good shoes, here is definitely funny place!
Many paths lead to extraordinary hidden beaches, here!
If equipped with a solid mountain bike, the characteristics of the rock and therefore the slopes and the paths are superlative, just mind to wear a helmet!
Near the archaeological excavation area, an old ex military hut has been restored so, from there you can enjoy the view towards Pula (south-east coast) and there have been placed some wooden benches where we love, even in winter, exchange books with those left in the hut and simply bask in the sun reading!
Where the “Devil’s Saddle” name comes up?
The Devils astonished by the beauty of the Gulf of Cagliari wanted to take possession of it! The Creator then sent his beloved Angels led by the warrior Archangel Michael to fight away mainly Lucifer and his militias.
Above the sky the battle was tremendous! Here are two conclusions that the legend tells us today: Lucifer fleeing, falling from his fiery horse he lost the saddle that fell into the gulf waters and solidified into the promontory; the other says that Lucifer fell right over the promontory giving it the shape we can still observe. Do you believe it?
Do you like this post, why not to read some others on Ca’ del Sol’s Blog?
If you would like any info or tip about trekking in Cagliari, feel free to drop us a message!
Do you already check our best offers out?
We’d like to propose you an awesome video by Davide Mocci: you’ll be able to see more on his YouTube channel:
Texts and Photos by 2018/2023 © ® Daniela and Michele for cadelsol.net