Sestu, Italian comune
Sestu is a small town in the Metropolitan City of Cagliari in Sardinia, located in a flat, agricultural area surrounded by open fields and near the Rio Matzeu. The town has narrow streets lined with old houses mixed with newer buildings, small shops and cafes that reflect everyday life, and retains a residential character with a slow-paced rhythm.
The name Sestu comes from Roman times and refers to the sixth Roman milestone from Cagliari, with ancient columns and stones still visible along old roads reminding visitors of this connection. The town has been a settlement for centuries, with Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans living here in succession, transforming it into a small community that preserves its past in local traditions.
Sestu keeps alive traditional Sardinian folk dances like the ballitus, performed in circles with back-and-forth steps, often accompanied by the launeddas, a traditional wind instrument. These dance forms are part of local festivals and are maintained by groups that wear colorful traditional clothing made from local fabrics.
Sestu is easily accessible by car or bus from Cagliari and offers a calm environment away from the busy city. The town is close to natural parks like Molentargius Regional Park and Poetto beach in Cagliari, giving visitors the chance to enjoy peaceful walks or picnics surrounded by nature.
In 2025, archaeologists discovered remains from the Punic period at Sestu, including pottery and bones that show how people honored their dead about 2000 years ago. These archaeological findings link the town's everyday life to its deeper past.
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