Sa Crabarissa
In the territory of Mandrolisai, on the border between Neoneli and Austis, there is the natural monument called “Sa Crabarissa” (this is how the women of Cabras are called), an authentic natural monument.
It is a 50-metre granite block shaped by rain and wind, whose shape recalls a woman in traditional Sardinian dress.
Regarding this colossus of nature, a legend has persisted over the centuries to give an explanation to its presence and its bizarre features.
The leggend
The Mandrolisai was a place of passage for the flocks that descended from the mountains of Barbagia to spend the winter in the planes of Campidano of Oristano.
This journey made by the shepherds with their flock was called transhumance.
And the legend linked to this suggestive colossus shaped by time refers precisely to the millenary tradition of transhumance.
In particular, it refers to winter transhumance, when at the beginning of winter the shepherds brought their flocks from Barbagia to Campidano, where it was possible to find a milder climate, then they brought them back to Barbagia on spring.
The story tells that on a warm spring day a
group of shepherds from Austis finally reached the plain, in the small town of Cabras.
It was precisely in Cabras that love was born, which met a sad and cursed destiny.
In the group a charming young man fell in love with a young and beautiful girl from Cabras.
An overwhelming love immediately broke out between the two, in fact the two immediately exchanged gifts and promises of marriage.
Then on spring the young man returned to his country of origin and the girl remained in Cabras waiting for his return the following winter.
The days went by and soon the girl, tired of waiting and worried about the fate of her beloved, decided to walk towards Austis.
Characteristics of the territory
The surrounding area is rich in woods, it is, in fact, a valley covered by dense mediterranean vegetation composed mostly of myrtle, holm oak and mastic shrubs scattered among imposing limestone boulders.
The area around Sa Crabarissa is very wild and is particularly suitable fortrekking at different levels and enjoying the silence, the scents and the beauty of nature.
How to get to Sa Crabarissa
Sa Crabarissa is located in the Sa Sennoredda area, on the border between the villages of Neoneli and Austis.
It is just over 60 kilometers from Oristano and can be reached in an hour by car.
For those arriving from Austis, all you have to do is follow the signs and take the paved road that leads to a widening.
There it is possible to park the car and continue on foot for about one kilometer on the dirt road.