Horses and landscapes
Benedetta and Matteo
A journey recommended for those who love nature and outdoor sports. For those who wish to enjoy wonderful landscapes and walk alone along narrow paths in search of the wild horses of the Giara di Genoni. It offers the chance to practise physical activity in the woods of Nurallao, where water plays a central role, or to discover archaeological wonders where the ancient Nuragic people once celebrated mysterious rituals.
Genoni, Nuragus, Isili, Nurallao
Genoni, the magnificent Giara ponies
The sun is beating down, the wind is from the NW, and it is 9:00 AM. We are at the highest point of the Giara di Genoni, near an observation tower. The plateau stretches out in every direction, covered by a cork oak forest; it is truly vast. In the small lakes that survive the summer sun, the local animals gather: herds of grazing cows, families of wild boar, and the famous, unique Giara ponies.
The ponies are small yet majestic in their elegance, proud and shy... they have a dark, almost black, very lustrous coat. The mane is thick and sways with every movement of the animal. Thanks to its bearing and the way it interacts with the other horses in the herd, it is easy to identify the stallion. These are the only (and last) wild horses in all of Europe.The Giara di Genoni is truly a timeless place.
Nuragus, the magic of the Coni sacred well
In the municipality of Nuragus, there is an archaeological site we didn't want to miss: the Coni sacred well. It is located near a white stone nuraghe that stands solitary on a hill surrounded by wheat fields, the Santu Milanu nuraghe. The nuraghe is visible from the road, but our destination is another spot nearby, which was certainly part of the same community that built the nuraghe.
Here is the sacred well... a small gem that preserves the memory of rituals lost for millennia. The stones are well-squared and expertly stacked on top of one another. What incredible skill these ancient builders possessed. What power must the reflection of the moon have represented, mirrored in the dark surface of the water on a dark night stitched with stars?
Isili, excursions between cliffs and lakes
As free climbing enthusiasts, the cliffs of Isili represent not just a destination but a beacon that draws you in and presents you with challenges that are often impossible. At least for us, as we are certainly not champions. However, we absolutely had to take on the challenge posed by these overhanging "routes." The challenge was accepted, but the rock face left us no escape. It was still wonderful to try, and in the shadow of these rocks, we rediscovered the pleasure of challenging nature in a place where it is beautiful to just sit and admire the landscape.
Later, we went on an excursion on the lake, feeling like explorers in a world of breathtaking beauty. Not far away, like a bastion of faith on a solitary crag, the ancient church of San Sebastiano watches over us.
Nurallao, the enchanted forest
Today we want to dedicate ourselves to physical activity, but in a relaxing way without any particular difficulty. For this reason, we decided to visit the Funtana is Arinus park in Nurallao. Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by the size and beauty of the woods, rich with waterfalls and small lakes formed by the bends of the river that flows through it.
The well-maintained paths through the woods allow us to run and do stretching exercises in a fabulous natural setting. We encounter groups of cyclists, including some children, who pass by and wave to us. We rest on the shores of an enchanted lake, lulled by the sound of a small waterfall nearby.
