Castiadas EN 

>> Visit The Villas of Castiadas

A few kilometres from Cagliari, hamlet Castiadas is characterised by its beautiful beaches and a green and lush countryside, in no way inferior to the adjoining Costa Rei and Villasimius.

Although it only gained independence in 1985, it actually has very distant origins. Indeed, the finds provide evidence of human presence right from the nuraghic age, as one can admire from the complex structure of Nuraghs Sa Domu ' de s'Orcu in the plain of Santa Giusta.

Today hamlet Castiadas, which includes picturesque agricultural built-up areas, has a population of 1300 residents. After the shutdown of the State Penitentiary in 1952, the lands were divided into farms which, over the years, have been turned into small residential villages that still make up the various aggregation centres of the local population. The disused prison facility is open to visitors and is the location of the "Museo delle Vecchie Carceri ".

The mountainous inland area, which is covered by a rich forest sheltering exceptional animal species such as the Sardinian deer, is the perfect place for long walks or horse rides. The long, white sandy beaches, unsoiled, are lapped by clear turquoise water.

The coast and the beaches
The 13 km-long coasts of Castiadas begin south of the Costa Rei, with the solitary beach of Santa Giusta, in the plain of Santa Giusta, chiefly known for the great turtle-shaped cliff overlooking its waters, also known as "Scoglio di Peppino" (Peppino’s cliff).

Going down along the coast, past the tourist resort, the Hill of Monte Turno which protects the wonderful "Cala Sant'Elmo" consists of a succession of rocks and small sandy coves, an authentic paradise with bottoms covered with thick posidonian beds and a turquoise and emerald expanse.

A little further South, Cala Sìnzias, a wonderful beach at the base of a solitary shrubby group of coastal hills. Still moving southward and towards Villasimius we reach the beautiful Cala Pira; the beach is a white sandy one with transparent-clear waters, on the sea end of a flat valley. On the headland, the XVIII-century-old Cala Pira tower overlooks the coast.

Archaeological heritage, flora and fauna
The archaeological and historical heritage of Castiadas and the neighbouring municipalities is of great relevance: from the megalithic complex of Cuili Piras, dating back to the year 5,000 BC, with 53 Menhirs to the giant’s graves, Nuraghs Sa Domu de s'Orcu in the neighbourhood of Santa Giusta and to the Domus de Janas, burial undergrounds dating back to the Neolithic age.

The flowers that can be found in the wide park named Parco Regionale dei Sette Fratelli – Monte Genis have great relevance, too: they include Holm-oaks, deliciously perfumed junipers, strawberry trees, essences such as myrtle, rosemary, lavender and helichrysum, oleanders, heathers and cyclamens. The large wildlife populations have found in these places their ideal habitat.