In This Small Sardinian Village, Houses Are Truly Works of Art

Della Ganas

Updated: 08 September 2025 ·

Like an Open-Air Museum

In This Small Sardinian Village, Houses Are Truly Works of Art

Men looking at a wall with murals
San Sperate is also known as the 'museum village.'
a painting on a house facade
The tradition of murals began as a protest against the ruling political conditions. Today, they also serve aesthetic purposes.
a painting on a house facade
Many murals in San Sperate depict everyday scenes - such as those from agriculture.

Almost everyone who has visited Sardinia knows the capital, Cagliari. But few have heard of San Sperate. Yet, just 12 miles northwest of Cagliari, visitors can find a very special village.

San Sperate is one of the major agricultural hubs of Sardinia. Thanks to its fertile soils, it is set amidst orange and lemon groves, surrounded by grain fields, tomato plants, and peach trees.

San Sperate isn't large. The village has less than 9,000 residents. But in this small place, there is a big peculiarity: almost every house facade features a huge mural.

The Whole Village Becomes a Canvas: Over 200 Murals in San Sperate

A man in front of a mural
The Italian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola brought art to his hometown. He also opened a sound garden with stones in San Sperate.
a painting on a house facade
Some paintings are so lifelike, you have to look twice.
a painting on a house facade
For the locals, street art in San Sperate is nothing extraordinary: it all began back in 1968.

Why is this the case? San Sperate is the hometown of Pinuccio Sciola. The Italian artist and sculptor passed away in 2016. Yet, throughout his life, he was committed to bringing art to 'his' village.

It all started when he was a young man: in 1968, Sciola painted the first murals on the house walls of San Sperate.

The residents followed his example and began painting their houses too. Over the years, more and more international artists came to leave their mark.

Today, San Sperate is a large open-air museum for street art with around 200 murals on the house facades.

More Than Art: The Peach Festival 'Sagra delle Pesche' in July

In mid-July, San Sperate offers visitors another reason to stop by: the grand Peach Festival Sagra delle Pesche, celebrating the peach harvest.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net, and the best travel deals on our deal page.

bettercities.net