The Monte Arci Park

The park covers a vast area of about 13,560 hectares and lies entirely in the Province of Oristano.

"Arci" in Sardinian dialect means "plain". The mountain is of volcanic origin and is rich in obsidian, a hard, black rock, which was one of the first materials used to make tools, knives and tips for arrows etc..


Obsidian from Monte Arci has been found all over the Mediterranean basin, proving that since pre-historic times it was a recognised resource of the area.

This hard, black, glassy mineral was extremely important to the first inhabitants of Sardinia and traces of instruments made from it have been discovered in all the Nuraghi on the island. Monte Arci boasts numerous pre-historic treasures, such as the large megalithic settlement of Bruncu'e S'Omu and a place of worship known as Sa Domu Is Coambus.

Despite a number of forest fires in recent years, the whole mountain is still a natural haven. It is totally unspoilt and covered in woods of holm oak and cork trees, as well as strawberry bushes, heather, lentisk and myrtle plants. It is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Although a number of species, such as deer, fallow deer and the wild ponies have disappeared, it still abounds in wild boar, foxes, wildcats, martens, rabbits and hares.

Numerous birds can also be spotted there, such as jays, ravens, woodpeckers, wood-pigeons, partridges, hoopoes, buzzards and kestrels.
The inaccessible heights also provide the ideal habitat for goshawks and the Bonelli eagle. There have also been sightings of the rare little bustard.