Escolca – Historic Houses, Churches and Crafts

Escolca lies at the foot of the Giara di Serri, in historic Sarcidano and on the border with Trexenta. Its themes range from Sardinian building and craft traditions to the history of rural settlements: churches, historic residential houses, a nuraghe and the abandoned hamlet of San Simone represent different aspects of the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Escolca, this variety can help you shape your stay around your cultural interests. Olives, grain and grapevines are also cultivated in the area.

Local History and Architectural Styles

The earliest documented mention of Escolca dates to the 11th century, when the town appears as a villa in the Curatoria of Siurgus in the Judicate of Cagliari. The parish church of Santa Cecilia was built in the Late Gothic style. Nuraghe Mogurus is a single-tower structure made of basalt. Vergine delle Grazie is another church in Escolca, located in an area of historical and cultural value. These examples highlight different aspects: sacred architecture, nuragic construction and the history of the town can be explored separately.

Crafts and Rural Culture

Traditional crafts associated with Escolca include old looms used to embroider fabrics and basket weaving. In the historic town centre is Casa Museo Sa' omu de Pillatusu, a fully restored museum owned by the municipal administration. It houses objects and tools from the rural culture and traditions of this cultural area. The house follows the traditional Trexenta building style, with a portal, courtyard and a “sa lolla”. At the museum, you can try working at a loom as people commonly did in many Sardinian homes during the last century. Here, the focus is on crafts and rural daily life as well as the architecture of the house.

Comparing Two Historic Houses

You will encounter a different architectural style at Casa Museo Casa Seu: the building is a typical Campidanese house. Its “sa Lolla” recalls an ancient Roman portico, and all the rooms in the house open onto this area. By comparison, Casa Museo Sa' omu de Pillatusu follows the traditional Trexenta building style. The ground floor of Casa Seu is intended for temporary exhibitions and also contains elements of traditional domestic life: a small room with a fireplace and an old carpenter’s workbench in a larger room. A permanent photographic exhibition is devoted to the festival and cult of San Simone; the display may change. The terrace offers views of the landscape around Escolca.

San Simone and Its History

San Simone is now an abandoned hamlet of Escolca, with around fifty houses made of straw and clay. They were built around a chapel dedicated to the saint; the foundations contain remains of Su Nuraxi Mannu. The San Simone festival is celebrated at Pentecost. From Escolca, Nuraxi–San Simone can be reached via old drivable tracks or an agricultural access road that has now been fully paved and leads to the Mandas–Villanovafranca provincial road. As road conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before travelling.

A programme page dated 9 April 2025 also describes a cycling or e-bike trip to the abandoned village, as well as a guided visit to the church ruins and stone houses, with explanations of the village’s history and former rural life. Check before travelling whether this offering is available.

Discover more destinations: Porto Tramatzu, Villasor, Mandas, Villaspeciosa, Serdiana, Selargius, Monserrato, San Vito

For the broader travel overview: Cagliari.