Exploring the UNESCO Site: The Elephant Rock
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural monument blends archaeology and legend, captivating travellers and scholars from all over the world.
Northern Sardinia is home to unique and evocative landscapes, where nature intertwines with the island’s ancient history. Among the must-see stops during a stay at Hotel Relax Torreruja in Isola Rossa is the famous Elephant Rock of Castelsardo, officially included—together with 16 other Sardinian sites—on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 12 July 2025.
Overlooking the panoramic road that leads to the medieval village of Castelsardo, around 30 minutes by car from the hotel, the rock owes its name to its extraordinary resemblance to a crouching elephant. It is a large block of trachyte, with its characteristic rusty-red hue, shaped over the centuries by wind erosion and the forces of nature.
Exploring the UNESCO Site: The Elephant Rock
Beyond its striking form, the Elephant Rock holds remarkable archaeological significance: within it are two domus de Janas, rock-cut chamber tombs dating back to the Late Neolithic period (3200–2800 BC).
The name domus de Janas, which in Sardinian means “fairies’ houses”, stems from popular beliefs associated with these ancient tombs. Tradition tells that they were inhabited by small magical beings, akin to fairies, guardians of hidden treasures and of the mystery surrounding these places. Struck by the forms and the enigmatic aura of these cavities, popular imagination has, over the centuries, nourished tales and legends that still make them captivating today.
Castelsardo
From an archaeological perspective, the Elephant Rock features an upper tomb, originally consisting of three small chambers, now partially damaged due to the collapse of the front section. This event, perhaps already during its original use, may have led to the creation of a second burial chamber in the lower part of the rock. Here four rooms remain, once preceded by a dromos (an open-air corridor). From the square entrance portal one enters the first chamber, whose side walls bear two carved reliefs of bovine protomes—symbols linked to fertility cults. Also visible are a stone-cut base and a decorative band engraved below the ceiling line. A second portal leads to the other chambers, likewise enriched with architectural motifs.
A visit to the Elephant Rock can be further enhanced by exploring the surrounding area, continuing on to the medieval centre of Castelsardo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. From the majestic Doria Castle, now home to the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view over the Gulf of Asinara.
