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A recognition that makes history.
On 12 July 2025, Sardinia wrote a new page in its cultural history: the Domus de Janas were officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming part of humanity's universal treasures.
To celebrate and promote this achievement, the Region of Sardinia participated for the first time in the World Tourism Event (WTE) 2025 in Rome (25-26 September), with a stand dedicated to its archaeological and cultural treasures.
Le Domus de Janas: between myth, art and spirituality.
Carved into the rock between the Neolithic and Copper Ages, the Domus de Janas are ancient underground tombs that reveal the rituals, beliefs and worldviews of prehistoric Sardinian communities.
Their evocative name, 'fairy houses', combines the magical dimension of folk legends with the charm of archaeology. With symbolic decorations, geometric patterns and religious references, these rock structures bear witness to the profound spirituality of ancient peoples.
Sardinia at WTE 2025 in Rome.
The WTE – World Tourism Event for World Heritage Sites is an international event dedicated to promoting UNESCO sites. In 2025, Sardinia was among the protagonists, with the Domus de Janas at the centre of its proposal.
The regional stand presented:
- Cultural and experiential itineraries linked to the Domus de Janas;
- Widespread hospitality and slow tourism in nearby villages;
- Immersive technologies to make heritage accessible to all;
- Sardinia's six UNESCO sites, with the Domus de Janas as their crown jewel;
The Regional Councillor for Tourism, Franco Cuccureddu, stated: “We want to position UNESCO’s offering as a lever for cultural and economic development, promoting Sardinia beyond just its sea and beaches.”
Why this news is important for Sardinia.
Participation in WTE 2025 was not only a prestigious event, but also a strategic opportunity to:
- Renewing the tourist image: Sardinia as a land of culture, not just sea.
- Promoting inland areas: bringing visitors to villages and rural areas.
- Promoting innovation and accessibility: through digital tools and immersive experiences.
- Creating new economic opportunities: for guides, tour operators and local communities.
Discovering the Domus de Janas: travel tips.
Would you like to experience the Domus de Janas? Here are some unmissable sites:
- Anghelu Ruju (Alghero) – one of the largest necropolises;
- Sant’Andrea Priu (Bonorva) – with monumental rooms and medieval frescoes;
- Montessu (Villaperuccio) – panoramic necropolis among the hills of Sulcis;
Combine your visit with other UNESCO sites, such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini, and discover the most authentic side of Sardinia by staying in local villages and farmhouses.
Conclusions.
With the Domus de Janas finally recognised as a World Heritage Site, Sardinia presents itself at the WTE in Rome with a new identity: an island that combines myth, archaeology and innovation, ready to attract more conscious and culture-loving tourists.
👉 A unique opportunity to see Sardinia through different eyes: not just the sea, but a land that preserves the magic of 6,000 years of history.
Official source.
The news was published on the institutional portal of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia:
👉 La Sardegna mette in vetrina i suoi gioielli al WTE di Roma: le Domus de Janas Patrimonio UNESCO.