Black Fig of Chia

Assemini is a charming town located just 12 kilometers from Cagliari, nestled in the fertile plain crossed by the Cixerri, Flumini Mannu, and Sa Nuxedda rivers. With around 25,500 inhabitants, it offers a harmonious blend of history, nature, and craftsmanship, providing visitors with an authentic and welcoming environment.

The historic center preserves valuable examples of traditional architecture, such as Campidanese houses built in ladiri—sun-dried clay and straw bricks—and small squares that tell centuries of community life. Notable religious buildings include the Church of San Giovanni Battista, of Byzantine origin with a Greek-cross plan, and the Parish Church of San Pietro, rebuilt in the 16th century in the Gothic-Catalan style. Strolling through the streets allows visitors to connect with a living history deeply rooted in local traditions.

Assemini is renowned throughout Sardinia for its ancient ceramic tradition, dating back to Carthaginian times and still maintained today by numerous workshops and artisan studios. This craft is one of the town’s cultural symbols, reflecting creativity, skill, and cultural continuity.

In addition to its historical and artistic heritage, the area offers important natural environments, such as the Santa Gilla Lagoon, a sanctuary for flamingos and other bird species, and the Gutturu Mannu Regional Natural Park, with forests and trails immersed in greenery. In this context of close connection to the land, the preservation of local agricultural biodiversity is also highly valued. In Assemini, Maria Carmela Deidda serves as custodian of the Camusina pear of Vallermosa and the Figu Niedda de Chia fig, traditional varieties that represent a precious agricultural heritage and help maintain the rural identity of the territory.

Domus de Maria is a municipality in southwestern Sardinia, located just a few kilometers from Pula and set in a territory of extraordinary natural beauty, where the countryside meets one of the island’s most pristine coastal areas. The village retains an authentic, rural character, deeply connected to agro-pastoral traditions and the slow pace of life typical of small Sardinian towns.

The municipal territory extends to the Chia coastline, famous for its bright white sandy beaches, wind-shaped dunes, and sea with intense shades of turquoise and emerald. Iconic beaches such as Su Giudeu, Cala Cipolla, and Porto Campana are set within a highly valuable natural environment, often accompanied by lagoons inhabited by pink flamingos and lush Mediterranean scrub.

Much of the area is part of the Chia Park, a protected natural area offering scenic trails, hiking routes, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as trekking, birdwatching, cycling, and water sports. The territory also preserves important historical evidence, from inland nuraghi to Phoenician and Roman traces along the coast, while the town itself maintains a strong community identity with low houses and cozy squares.

In this context of deep connection to the land, the preservation of local agricultural biodiversity plays a crucial role. In Domus de Maria, Paolo Atzeri, Pierluigi Cara, Andrea Cara, and Davide Carta serve as custodians of the Figu Niedda de Chia, a traditional fig variety that is strongly tied to the identity of the area. Thanks to their dedication, this valuable agricultural heritage continues to be preserved and passed on, helping safeguard the rural and cultural identity of the community.

Domus de Maria, in southwestern Sardinia, combines rural tradition with unspoiled nature. Its territory includes the iconic beaches of Chia, with white dunes, lagoons with flamingos, and crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for those seeking relaxation and authentic Sardinian experiences.