Escalaplano: Plateau, Nuraghi and Festivals

Escalaplano lies on an almost 350-metre-high plateau and is surrounded by the valleys of the Flumendosa and Flumineddu rivers. The area is covered by cork oak forests.

Plateau, grazing land and wide-open landscapes

The Cracuris Circonvallazione Escalaplano – S'Arcu Atzinnuri (C 562) route is approximately 1.8 km long. It crosses a plateau with partially enclosed plots of land, some of which are used as grazing land and others as olive groves and vineyards. Along the route, grazing land, olive groves and vineyards alternate. Sa Trona is a flat sandstone rock formation extending over the abyss, located about 8 km from Escalaplano and offering a wide panorama to the south.

Nuragic traces and prehistoric evidence

Escalaplano has prehistoric archaeological remains, including Domus de Janas, Nuraghi and temples with sacred wells. The Is Clamoris complex on the Rio Flumineddu in the Escalaplano area includes a Nuragic sanctuary with a sacred well and, a short distance away, a Nuragic spring. Surface finds of obsidian and flint were also discovered near the Domus de Janas di Fossada; they suggest the presence of nearby Neolithic workshops.

You can reach the Is Clamoris Nuragic spring from Escalaplano via Corso Sardegna/SP13 heading north, then via Via S. Barbara and the signs for Perdasdefogu. After approximately 10 km, follow the additional signs near a bridge.

Churches with a history of their own

The Church of San Sebastiano was built in the Gothic-Aragonese style and dates from the 16th century. Its notable features include a large original rose window in the Aragonese style on the façade and a wooden pulpit commissioned in 1623. The Church of San Salvatore stands on the Is Sceasa plateau, along the road towards Ballao. The former Church of San Salvatore consisted of large brown stone blocks bonded with a mixture of clay and straw.

Festivals, processions and living traditions

Escalaplano is associated with the celebration of Saint Anthony the Great on 17 January and, three days later, the patronal feast of Saint Sebastian. In honour of both saints, large fires are lit, wine and sweet treats are sampled, and dances are performed. On 15 May, the simulacrum of Saint Salvatore is accompanied to the rural chapel dedicated to him.

The procession for San Giovanni on 24 June features traditional costumes as well as Traccas, meaning ox-drawn carts decorated with flowers. Another special occasion is Sa Passillada, which takes place on 31 October and 1 November in the historic centre of Escalaplano. During the event, private courtyards are opened to the public.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to continue your discoveries beyond Escalaplano, here are some more places to visit: San Nicolò Gerrei, Gergei, Villaspeciosa, Serdiana, Villa San Pietro, Villasimius, Monserrato and Mandas.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cagliari.