Cagliari's Skyline and the Devil's Saddle

Those who arrive in Cagliari **by ferry or plane notice from afar the Devil’s Saddle and its winding skyline, an exciting landscape that amazes the visitors. This view is undoubtedly a welcome greeting that promises a holiday full of beauty. Cagliari looks like a "beautiful woman lying under the Mediterranean sun". **Even though it is a sleepy city in the hot summer hours, Cagliari is full of colours, life, and traditions.

The Legend

The Devil’s Saddle is a saddle-shaped rock formation dominating the Poetto area from above. The name of this stone hill derives from a biblical legend, which tells the story of a bloody battle between the devil and the angels, and in particular, the story of the archangel Michael in his effort to conquer the beautiful Gulf of Cagliari. The devil came out defeated by this battle, so frightened that he left his saddle and ran away; since then,  the Gulf of Cagliari was called the Angels’ Gulf in memory of this victory of good over evil.** The Devil's Saddle is a small jewel of nature, a special place that connects Cagliari to history and mythology. Over the centuries, it has hosted the inhabitants of a Punic temple, Roman soldiers, and Benedictine monks **among its "heady scents" of the Mediterranean shrubs and its lapping sea waves.

Trekking

Today the Devil's Saddle can be visited along a path crossing the whole promontory, up until the Tower of S. Elia; this path has been traced by various environmental associations and is marked by green polka dots. The associations also organize guided tours upon request. An all uphill path with very wild stretches and narrow streets overlooking the sea begins from the beach of Cala Mosca. You will follow a very steep path, which will not only give you the opportunity to stop often to rest, but also to admire unforgettable views, like those memorable views you enjoy every time you reach the top!

The Poetto area

In the foreground of this panorama stands the Poetto beach, a strip of light sand with a sea in the shades of emerald green. It is so beautiful that it looks as if it has been painted. The beach of Cagliari, welcomes its guests any time of the day; in the morning for breakfast in front of the sea, later on for a quick snack, in the afternoon for a beer or an aperitif with friends, and in the evening for good food and excellent live music!

The Pond of Molentargius

The marina that can be found below the Devil's Saddle is called Marina Piccola. Behind the Poetto beach, salt pans and the Molentargius pond can be found. A series of fresh and saltwater ponds,  they are inhabited by many species of birds, but above all by the majestic pi[nk flamingos](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/flamingos-in-sardinia-an-impressive-pink-cloud-over-the-ponds-9806), which in different hours of the day, fly in large groups to move from one pond to another.