Sa Rocca

Useful Information

Location:	Via Nazionale, 35, 07035 Sedini SS. At Sedini. At the road to Martis. (40.8484280, 8.8180459)
Open:	15-OCT to APR Sat, Sun 10-13. MAY to JUN daily 10-13, 15-18. JUL to 14-OCT daily 10-13, 15-19. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 2.50, Reduced EUR 2. Guided Tour: Adults EUR 8. [2025]
Classification:	Cave Tomb Cave House Domus de Janas
Light:
Dimension:	Ar=129 m².
Guided tours:	V=4,500/a [2022]
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Paolo Melis (1991): La Domus dell’Elefante, Sardegna Archaeologica, Guide e Itinerari, No 15, Carlo Delfino editore, 55 pp. EAN: 9788871380339 pdf
Address:	Domus de Janas von Sedini, Via Nazionale, 35, 07035 Sedini SS, Tel: +39-079-589-215, Cell: +39-349-844-0436.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

3100 BC	begin of digging tombs.
2500 BC	end of tombs creation.
Middle Ages	used as prison, dwelling, and animal den.
19th century	used as a brick quarry and later used permanently as a residence.
1992	acquisition by the Municipality of Sedini and first restoration.
2001-2002	restoration of the whole structure.
2002	opening of the museum.
2005	Museum registered by the RAS as a Museum of Ethnographic Traditions of Anglona.

Description

Sa Rocca (The Rock) is the main tourist site of the small village Sedini. It is also known as Domus de janas di Sedini, which is actually not a proper name, it’s just a description, as well as the Italian translation Casa delle Fate. The prominent limestone rock was used as a burial site during the megalithic era. Those graves, domus de janas, were cut into the rock between 3100 and 2500 BC. Much later, during the Middle Ages, the now empty graves were extended and used as a prison and for other purposes. Later the rooms were used as cave houses, especially during the 19th century and were in use until the early 20th century. The result is a strange rock with windows here and there, looking more like an illustration of a fairy tale book than a real house. The strange form of the rock adds to the weird impression.

The house is not inhabited any more, it contains a small local heritage museum named Museo Domu De Janas La Rocca and is operated by a local cooperative. Located on the left side of the rock the museum uses two medieval rooms, which are connected by a staircase carved into the rock. The exhibition related to the agricultural and pastoral traditions of the Sedini community, contains about 500 pieces ranging in age from three to one hundred years. On the upper floor is an exhibition of Anglonese minerals and fossils and the reconstruction of a typical Anglonese house with typical household items. On the ground floor is a foto exhibition and the connection to the ancient tombs.

Three aspects about this domus de janas are quite unique. First the rock tombs are located on the main street of the village and not, as in most cases, in areas which are remote and difficult to access. Then they are scattered over the surface of a huge rock, not hidden underground. And third, the original character of the tombs has been more or less preserved over the centuries, despite several changes of use.

The rock is located on the southern end of the village, right on the main road, the SS134 which crosses the town, and the spectacular pointed rock is hard to miss. If you are there you could also visit two small natural caves, the Grotte lu Padru and the Grotta Seconda di Conchi, which are located only 250 m to the west on top of the plateau. There is a road, but its extremely narrow and steep, so we recommend a 5 minutes hike. Walking shoes and a torch are required.