San Gavino Monreale, Villanovafranca and Turri: in the fields of the ‘capitals’ of saffron production to listen to the stories of the peasants, the custodians of ancient knowledge
Route: 50 km
Driving time: 52 min
A farming and pastoral town in the centre of the Marmilla, in an area that offers amazing colours - from the intense green of the fields to the deep hues of the earth - with every season. Turri has an historic centre with courtyard houses and well-preserved wooden gateways. The farmers grow cereals, legumes and leafy greens, and they make wine, olive oil, cheese and, above all, grow and process saffron, the star of a celebrated festivity that takes place on the second Sunday of November. You can go tour the flowering fields, watch them process the saffron and then sample the traditional dishes.
A small town famous for the su Mulinu archaeological complex, which features a large monolithic altar that is the faithful replica of a nuraghe. The museum houses the relics found at the site. This rural town makes wine and grows grain, olives, almonds and saffron, to which a festivity is dedicated every November during which you can enjoy some delicious recipes and even tasty saffron gelato.
A major town in the heart of the Medio Campidano region known for its industrial archaeology, a foundry, the sa Moba sarda ethnographic museum and a very colourful and lively carnival festival. San Gavino has always been a farming town, with extensive fields of saffron plants already in the mid-XV century. It is Sardinia’s main producer of ‘red gold’ and in November the town holds a festival that is not to be missed.