Have you ever heard the saying that there’s a song for every moment in life?
Well, in Sardinia, that’s true not just for life’s moments, but for its villages too. And Love is in the Air by John Paul Young is undoubtedly the perfect soundtrack for the charm, atmosphere, and traditions of the enchanting town of Selargius.
This town of nearly thirty thousand residents, seamlessly connected to Cagliari, is home each year—on the second Sunday of September—to one of Italy’s most important historical celebrations: Sa Coja Antiga Cerexina, or The Ancient Selargino Wedding. Alongside the Sartiglia of Oristano and the Candlemas Festival of Sassari, it has been included by the Ministry of Culture in the prestigious list of Italy’s Intangible Cultural Heritage maintained by the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage. This remarkable event reenacts the ancient marriage rite, engaging the local community and visitors alike for an entire week with art, folklore, and traditional activities.
But the Selargians’ contagious love for their historic identity isn’t the only thing that will win you over. You might also find yourself captivated by the area’s rich food and wine traditions—like the renowned Selargius capers, monica and nasco wines, homemade pasta, breads, and sweets such as gueffus, amaretti, pardule, and is pistoccus, all prepared strictly by hand.
And to work off all those treats, nothing beats a scenic outing: on one side, the sweeping landscapes of the Campidano plain; on the other, the allure of Cagliari with the nearby Molentargius–Saline Regional Park and the Poetto beach.
