Escolca: Crafts, History and San Simone

Holiday apartment in Escolca between Giara and Sarcidano

Escolca lies at the foot of the Giara di Serri in the historic Sarcidano area and on the border with Trexenta. When looking for a holiday apartment in Escolca, this location is an initial indication of the character of the place: landscape, regional culture and agricultural traditions provide the setting for a trip filled with many different discoveries.

Olives, grain and grapevines are cultivated around Escolca. The town is associated with traditional crafts: old looms used to embroider fabrics, as well as basket makers who produce baskets. These provide two concrete starting points for planning your trip between regional culture and rural life.

Crafts, Architectural Heritage and Sacred History

Escolca is first mentioned in the 11th century as a villa in the Curatoria of Siurgus in the Judicate of Cagliari. The parish church of Santa Cecilia was built in the late Gothic style. Nuraghe Mogurus is a single-tower nuraghe made of basalt. The Church of Vergine delle Grazie stands in Escolca in an area of historical and cultural value.

The Casa Museo Sa' omu de Pillatusu is located in the historic town centre. The fully restored house, owned by the municipal administration, houses a museum with objects and tools from the farming culture and traditions of this cultural area. Its architectural form follows the traditional building style of Trexenta, with a portal, courtyard and a “sa lolla”.

Casa Museo Casa Seu is a typical Campidanese house. Its “sa Lolla” recalls an ancient Roman portico, and all the rooms in the house open onto it. The ground floor is intended for temporary exhibitions and contains elements of traditional domestic life: a small room with a fireplace and an old carpenter’s workbench in a larger room. It also houses a permanent photographic exhibition dedicated to the festival and cult of San Simone. A terrace offers views of the landscape around Escolca.

San Simone and Traces of Past Ways of Life

San Simone is now an abandoned hamlet of Escolca. Around fifty houses made of straw and clay stand there, built around a chapel dedicated to the saint. The foundations of the chapel contain the remains of Su Nuraxi Mannu. The San Simone festival is celebrated at Pentecost.

From Escolca, Nuraxi–San Simone can be reached via old drivable routes or an agricultural access road that has since been completely paved and leads to the Mandas–Villanovafranca provincial road.

Experiences Combining Activity, Flavour and History

The experiences on offer include a cycling or e-bike excursion to the abandoned medieval village of San Simone and a guided tour of the ruins of the Church of San Simone and the stone houses. These include explanations of the village’s history and former rural life. A tasting of traditional Trexenta dishes prepared with local products is also available, including, for example, pane carasau, culurgiones, pecora alla campidanese, cheese and local wines. At the Casa Museo Sa' omu de Pillatusu, visitors can try working on a loom as was customary in many Sardinian homes in the last century.

Choose a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Travel Interests

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Escolca can tailor their stay to their preferred mix of history, crafts, regional food and active exploration. Museums, churches, Nuraghe Mogurus, San Simone, the cycling or e-bike excursion and the tasting offer different ideas for each day. First decide whether culture, activity or regional cuisine should be the focus; you can then choose a holiday apartment in Escolca to suit your personal holiday rhythm.

More Places for Orientation

Other places to consider when planning your trip include Is Arenas, Sarroch, Sant'Isidoro, Capoterra, Soleminis, Donori, Monserrato and Perd'e Sali.

For the overview of the wider area: Cagliari.