Voragine di Golgo (Su Sterru)

Voragine di Golgo, also called Su Sterru, is a 280-metre-deep chasm on the Golgo plateau near Baunei in Sardinia. A short path leads to a fenced viewpoint, where you can look into the dark shaft; visitors cannot descend into it unless they are experienced speleologists. The plateau is part of the appeal: cows, goats, donkeys and sheep graze among boulders and mountain scenery. The site also carries local legends and a connection to pagan ritual, making it a worthwhile stop on a drive or walk around Golgo.

A chasm on the Golgo plateau

Su Sterru is a deep natural shaft in the limestone landscape of the Golgo plateau. Its depth is reported as 280 metres, and its dark opening is viewed from a fenced vantage point. The path to the viewpoint is short, but the formation is difficult to appreciate from photographs alone.

There is no ordinary route down into the chasm. Access to its depths is limited to experienced speleologists, so plan on viewing it from above rather than exploring underground.

Legends and the surrounding landscape

Local stories connect the chasm with Sa Serpiente, a monster said either to have emerged from the opening to devour people offered in sacrifice or to have been cast into it by St Peter. The nearby church of St Peter is part of the setting associated with these tales. The site also had pagan religious or ritual significance for local people.

Beyond the viewpoint, the plateau has open mountain scenery, boulders and grazing cows, goats, donkeys and sheep. Walks in the area include routes towards beaches that can otherwise be reached only by boat. If you are driving from Santa Maria Navarrese via Baunei, the mountain road has steep, winding sections and viewpoints along the way.