…across il Sarcidano, up to Laconi
by Trenino Verde (Green Train) from Mandas to Laconi
We will explore Sarcidano, from Mandas and Serri, and we will reach Laconi, passing through Isili and Nurallao. At Mandas station, with your Tourist Guide on the historic Railcar of the 1950s, you can start your journey by the Little Green Train.
We will start slowly, in splendid submontane scenery, where you can best admire the varied flowers and bushes of the Mediterranean maquis. Not long after the departure there will be a stop at the Isili station, and then we continue with the view of the Nuraghe Is Paras, a testimony of the Nuragic civilisation developed over three thousand years ago by the Homo Sapiens. Moving northwards, after a while we will encounter the viaducts and tunnels that allowed us to cross the old valley, now transformed into the lake of Is Barroccus, with its islands, that were once hills. On top of these is still visible the rural church of S. Sebastiano, accessible only by boat.
From Nurallao to Laconi, the tracks deviate significantly from the areas crossed by paved roads passing through less steep itineraries, to climb over these wooded mountains. The railway leads through the woods and reaches Laconi through part of the luxuriant Aymerich Park. Here, the station is in the upper part of the town, which is immediately captivating
Then, a rich and pleasant taste of typical products will await us, it will satisfy our appetite and will awaken even more our senses. After lunch, we will visit this old village, in the peaceful environment in which Saint Ignatius lived, of which we will see both the imposing sanctuary and the humble and lovely house in which he was born. The visit to the Menhir Museum will be a personal and optional choice.
Going up towards the station, we will cross the park, where you will find many surprises. From the highly photographed waterfalls, to the lake, to the walls of the castle of the family, after which it is named and a scented, well-kept, and much-photographed garden. In the late afternoon, we get back on the Little Green Train, towards Mandas, where we will arrive at 18:30. The opposite direction to the outward journey and a completely different light will give you a different vibe and you will want to take new photos, in a moment of relaxation and fulfilment.
