Located in the territory of Romangia, in the northwestern part of Sardinia, Sennori is a town of seven thousand inhabitants, built over a valley and surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. The town is well known for its traditional clothing and the art of weaving, as well as for the numerous archeological sites that can be seen around the territory.
Historically, the territory of Sennori has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. The many archaeological sites in the area date back to the Neolithic and to the Nuragic period. The town, however, was probably built by the Romans, to create a garrison, in order to keep the local tribes at bay.
In the Middle Ages, Sennori was part of the Sardinian Giudicati and then became a Spanish fief after the Aragonese conquered Sardinia. Sennori became a municipality only in the 19th century, when the feudal system was finally abolished.
Scattered around this small town and its immediate surroundings, you will find testimonies of Sennori’s past which are truly interesting to see.
If you are planning a trip to northern Sardinia, and care to learn a bit more about local traditions, traditional clothing and even a more traditional lifestyle, then you should plan to visit Sennori. Continue reading this guide to find all the information you need about the places to visit in Sennori, and for tips to plan your visit.
You should also read my post The Nicest Small Towns And Cities In Sardinia.
The Best Things To See In Sennori
Sennori’s traditional basket weaving
As you walk through the streets of Sennori, you will encounter numerous artisan stores displaying beautiful wicker baskets. The tradition of basket weaving is kept intact in Sennori, with works made using methods handed down from generation to generation. The uniqueness of Sennori’s wicker baskets lies in the beautiful colors, used to create special patterns. All the works, are made by using the asphodel, a plant typically used for weaving and other purposes.
Sennori’s traditional attires
The art of weaving in Sennori is not limited to wicker artworks, but is extended to the traditional attires, worn by women and men during special events and festivals. Specifically, the traditional women’s dress of Sennori is famous for its beautiful variations.
The colorful “bride” costume features a headdress made of four handkerchiefs, a bodice, and an apron with buttons made of gold and other jewelry, such as crosses or medallions.
Other female variants include the daily costume and the widow costume. The former is a simpler version of the ceremonial version and has no gold jewelry. The second, since it is used for mourning, features dark colors ranging from black to purple, with two wide skirts. There is also a men’s variant, rich in detail, that features a red jacket with gold embroidery and a white shirt.
San Basilio Magno Church
Located in the square BY the same name, the Chiesa di San Basilio Magno is the main place of worship in Sennori. The construction of the church dates back to the 14th century, but it was expanded and restored between 1945 and 1958.
This intervention gave the church the typical characteristics of the Aragonese Gothic style, far away from its original Romanesque style. The interior of the church contains a retable representing the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
Domus de Janas del Beneficio Parrocchiale
This archeological site is located near the aforementioned church – hence the reference to a parish in its name. Specifically, is is a prehistoric tomb (Domus de Janas) dating from the Neolithic period.
The tomb is characterized by eleven rooms, divided into main cores. The first one has three rooms, while the second is divided into different intermediate rooms. One of the particular features of this Domus de Janas is the decoration carved into a rock in the so called “Room of the Protomes.”
Another important archaeological site in the area is the Serra Crabiles complex, carved into the rock and characterized by several rooms.
Make sure to also read my post The Prettiest Domus De Janas In Sardinia.
San Giovanni Battista Church
The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (Church of St. John the Baptist) is located a few kilometers from Sennori and has the typical style of the Italian country churches.
The date of construction is still unknown, though it is likely that the church was built in 17th century, with several restorations carried out between the 19th and 20th century. Inside the church, there are three statues of St. John the Baptist.
The church is very important to the people of Sennori, as it is the destination of the procession of the Festival of St. John, characterized by a horseback parade, a parade of traditional clothes, and a procession with the statue of the saint.
Tomb of the Giants of Oridda
The Tomb of the Giants of Oridda is the most unique archaeological site in the Sennori area. Unlike other tombs of the giants, Oridda is not open, but dug into the rock like a Domus de Janas, with a chamber characterized by a wide masonry with large blocks.
Head over to my post Who Were The Mont’E Prama Giants?
Other places to visit near Sennori
The territory of Sennori is rich in archaeological sites, but some are not well documented. These include the Nuraghi of Badde Margherita and Badde Puttu, characterized by complex structures. Finding these places is not easy even with the GPS, so the best way to get to them is to ask the locals.
The area is also home to several evidences of water worship, such as fountains and sacred wells, including the Funtana de su Anzu, the Funtana de Sa Conza, and the Fontana Geridu. These fountains are incredibly suggestive, especially Funtana de Sa Conza, which is covered by a natural gallery.
Practical Guide
Where to stay in Sennori
There are not many places to stay in Sennori that are available on international booking sites, but given its proximity to Sassari, you may consider finding an accommodation in the larger city and then plan a day trip to Sennori. If, on the other hand, you still prefer to sleep in town, then I can suggest the following accommodation options:
B&B SHARDANA – an elegant bed & breakfast offering rooms with private bathrooms. The room with the fireplace is especially cozy.
AGRITURISMO SILIS – perfect if you prefer accommodation surrounded by the lush nature of the area. There’s a nice swimming pool for guests’ use and plenty of space for children to roam around.
CASA ASINARA – a great solution if you are traveling with your family and looking for a comfortable, self-catering style accommodation.
How to get to Sennori
The easiest way to get to Sennori is to drive from Sassari and take the Anglona State Road 200 until you get to Sennori. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take bus 728 from Sassari Via Padre Zirano, which takes you to Sennori in 20 minutes.
If you are staying in Alghero, you’ll first have to make your way to Sassari and the overall trip will take you around 50 minutes by car, and 1.5 hours by bus. You’ll have to take bus 9323 to Sassari and change there.
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