The Selene wood (or Seleni) can be found deep into Ogliastra and six kilometres from the town of Lanusei.
Its name refers to the Greek worship of the Lunar deity and it sits on a granite plateau around 900 metres in height. Full of what seem to be never-ending pathways, the wood offers holm oaks, chestnut trees, durmast trees, poplar trees, oak trees and Mediterranean shrub. The wood area is also noteworthy for its numerous springs of clean, fresh water.
Strolling along the shaded pathways, inebriated by natural scents, you will come to the area’s belvedere and enjoy a unique view even of the sea by looking out over the horizon.
The place is also an ideal habitat for certain species of animal typically found in the Sardinian hinterland, like boar, foxes and weasels, jays and barn owls.
As well as wild and uncontaminated nature, unusual traces of nuragic civilisations and their worship of the dead can be found in the park.
Indeed, the wood is home to the Seleni Archaeological Site, evocative proof of Nuragic civilisation. The archaeological site dates back to a period between the Middle Bronze Age and the end of the Bronze Age. The site consists of the Gennacili nuraghe, surrounded by a conglomerate of around 200 huts and defence walls, two tombs of the Giants, about half a kilometre from the residential built up area and two holy fonts.
There is also a play area with kids’ games at the entrance to the wood.
