Popolazione
Abitanti 2526
Maschi 1235
Femmine 1291 (Agg. 31 Marzo 2008)
Superficie Ha
10000 Altezza sul mare
503 metri Comunità Montana
XIV Montiferru A.S.L.
Numero 5 Oristano
Distretto scolastico Strumento Urbanistico
PUC del 1990 Piano Terr. Paesistico
Numero 8 Sinis Montiferru Numero Istat
095 049
Santu Lussurgiu is a village 503 meters above sea level situated at the edge of the massive extinct volcanic mountain called Montiferru (Iron Mountain) in the province of Oristano. It is located in center-western Sardinia, and is one of the best-preserved historical villages on the island.
The village is situated in the crater of a volcano extinct for millions of years. Forests of Oak and Chestnut trees encircle the village and its mountainous location.
The village developed around the small rustic church of Holy Cross (built in 1185 A.D.) and has the characteristic structure of an amphitheater, with ancient stone houses built in concentric configuration along winding and steep narrow cobbled lanes that exist to this day.
The first high school in Sardinia was founded in Santu Lussurgiu in 1850. For the next century, the school made Santu Lussurgiu an important cultural center in Sardinia. Most of the famous Sardinians of the late 19th and early 20th studied there. The Italian political philosopher Antonio Gramsci went to school there.
Artisan and peasant traditions are conserved in the Museum of the Farming Technology, situated in an ancient family house of XVIII Century. The Museum has over two thousand instruments from workers, and objects of daily use which were donated by families in Santu Lussurgiu.
There is a great abundance of and natural sources for water in the area. Forests of Oaks, Bay, Holly, Chestnut and Cherry trees alternate with fields cultivated with olive trees and grapes. In every season it is possible to see in the surrounding pastures, sheep, and herds of bue rosso, a special breed of red beef cattle typical to this area of Sardinia, as well as horses of Anglo-Arab-Sardinian lineage.
At a distance of 15 miles are found the salt marsh ponds of the Sinis with their population of herons and flamingos constituting an ecosystem of enormous environmental interest. The territory around Santu Lussurgiu accommodates many different forms of wildlife from the mountain wild boar, ermines, and several different kinds of Hawks, Thrush, and a special Sardinian woodcock.
As well as endangered species like the Grifone (a native vulture), the Peregrine Falcon, Mouflon (a unique species of Ungulate), the Sardinian red deer, the Sardinian hare and Sardinian wild cats. Santu Lussurgiu is also located within the heart of the richest archaeological zone of Sardinia.
From the impressive Nuraghe Losa to the sacred well of Saint Cristina, the territory around Santu Lussurgiu is rich with small caves dug into the cliff's sides, going back to Neolithic period, called domus de janas, or the "houses of the fairies". There are also more imposing burial monuments of the nuraghic period (1800-1238 b.c.) called "tombs of the giants".
