Little Gem No. 102 | The Ancient House

In the heart of the Sarcidano region, among rolling hills brushed with silver olive trees and fields dotted with grazing sheep, lies Domu Antiga — “the ancient house.”
Built in the early 19th century and lovingly restored by Samuel and his family, this stone home feels like stepping quietly into another rhythm of life — one shaped by simplicity, kindness, and the enduring beauty of Sardinia’s traditions.

For Samuel, Domu Antiga was a childhood dream — to bring new life to an old family house without erasing its past. Every stone, beam, and wall has been restored with care and respect, using natural materials like lime, cork, river reeds, and local wood. The result is a place that feels at once authentic and alive — a living reflection of Sardinia’s soul.

The Space

Life at Domu Antiga unfolds slowly and gracefully.
You wake to the smell of freshly baked bread from the old wood oven, hear the soft clucking of hens in the courtyard, and perhaps pick your own egg for breakfast.
Inside, the house opens around a large country kitchen, where long wooden tables invite shared meals and laughter, and a stone fireplace glows in the cooler months.

The spaces are intimate yet airy — exposed stone walls, juniper balconies, and soft light filtering through hand-carved shutters. Every detail tells a story: handwoven rugs, antique trunks, and traditional Sardinian fabrics in natural hues of earth and wool.

The Bedrooms

Domu Antiga offers four double bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom.
They are simple, elegant, and deeply comforting — rooms where the light moves gently across stone and where silence feels like a luxury.

Most of the furniture is original, carefully restored by local artisans. The beds are dressed in handwoven Sardinian textiles, with headboards made from orbace, the traditional wool fabric of the island. From the juniper balconies, you can watch the narrow cobblestone street below and feel the timeless rhythm of village life.

The Location — Gergei, Sarcidano

Domu Antiga lies in Gergei, a small, historic town in central Sardinia, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and the great open plateaus of the Sarcidano region.
Here, life is still shaped by the land — by the harvest of olives and grain, by flocks of sheep grazing under the sun, by a quiet respect for nature’s pace.

It’s a landscape that carries thousands of years of history. Just ten kilometres away lies Barumini, one of Sardinia’s most extraordinary Nuragic sites, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure built nearly three thousand years ago.

This is the Sardinia few people see — untouched, slow, and generous in its authenticity.

The Kitchen & Experiences

At Domu Antiga, meals are more than food — they are a return to tradition.
Maria Grazia, the resident cook, prepares homemade Sardinian dishes from local ingredients: cheese from nearby shepherds, garden vegetables, bread baked in the wood oven. Breakfasts are served under the old porch or beside the crackling fire — fresh ricotta, local honey, and pastries made that morning.

For guests who wish to learn, Samuel and his family open their world:

Cheese and ricotta making workshops using ancient tools and fresh milk from their own flock.

Traditional cooking classes, sharing the secrets of Sardinia’s simple and deeply flavourful cuisine.

Bread and dessert workshops, where you can learn to bake su civraxiu and su cocoi, shaping and decorating loaves by hand.

Each experience is a glimpse into a culture still connected to its roots — and a reminder of the quiet pleasure of doing things by hand.

Why We Love It

Because Domu Antiga is more than a place to stay — it’s a way of life.
Because the warmth of the hosts feels like being welcomed by old friends.
Because here, everything slows down — the clocks, the light, even your thoughts.

It’s a house that restores your sense of time and of self.
A home filled with memory, generosity, and the unpretentious beauty of Sardinia’s heartland.

Price Indication

prices start from €