Autumn in Barbagia: ancestral landscapes and timeless traditions
Autumn in Barbagia 2021 – An event that offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in Sardinian folklore and discover the most authentic traditions of ancient Ichnusa.
Autumn in Barbagia is the unmissable event that for over twenty years tells the story and traditions of one of the most interesting areas of Sardinia which, thanks to the typical temperatures of the Mediterranean climate, is the ideal destination at any time of the year.
Barbagia, or Barbaza in Sardinian, is a vast mountainous region of central Sardinia that extends along the flanks of the Gennargentu massif and covers an area of about 1,300 km². The region consists of Gennargentu and Ogliastra, Supramonte and Nuorse, and borders on Gallura, Baronia, Oristanese, the Tirso valley and Sarcidano.
Barbagia is a territory characterized by a great variety of landscapes ranging from granite rocks to the buttresses of Ogliastra Gennargentu, including the valley of Rio Pardu, from the valleys of Cedrino to the pastures of Ollolai and the mountain of Seui, then descend towards the sea towards Baunei. This corner of the island preserves an invaluable cultural and environmental heritage, nature is the undisputed protagonist with its forests of holm oak, juniper, yew and oak.
Despite the sensitive reductions and the serious extinctions that have struck some species including the Sardinian deer, the monk vulture and the bearded vulture, the fauna is very rich: the territory hosts mouflons, golden eagles, imperial ravens, Peregrine hawks, coral crowns, goshawks, sparrow hawks, buzzards, Queen’s hawks, red woodpeckers, pigeons and jays. The group of mammals, on the other hand, includes the Sardinian wild cat, the marten, the weasel, the wild boar and dormice.
The area of Barbagia, famous for the Cannonau wine produced in the centres of Mamoiada, Oliena and Dorgali, is divided into seven historical regions that constitute, for certain aspects, the realities of their history and culture: Barbagia di Nuoro (or Nuorese), Barbagia di Ollolai (or Barbagia Superiore) north of Gennargentu, Mandrolisai west of Gennargentu, Barbagia di Belvì (or Barbagia Centrale) south of Gennargentu, Barbagia di Seùlo (or Barbagia Inferiore) further south, Ogliastra (formerly known as Barbàgia Trigònia) east of Gennargentu.
An interesting anecdote on the history of Barbagia calls into question Dante Alighieri who in 2021 the FAI-Sardinia, on the occasion of the eighteenth anniversary of the death of the Great Poet, is celebrated with a rich program of events and cultural routes that cross the island linked to the Divine Comedy, including castles, villages, historical places and other sites of interest.
And it is precisely in the work of the world-famous Italian literary work that there is a reference to Barbagia and more precisely in Canto XXIII of Purgatory, where we read “ché la Barbagia di Sardigna assai / ne le femmine sue più è pudica / che la Barbagia dov’ io la lasciai”.
Autumn events calendar in Barbagia 2021
The idea of dedicating an entire season to the material and immaterial traditions of Barbagia took shape in 1996, the year in which the Municipality of Oliena organizes an event called “Cortes Apertas”: the historic houses of the village open their courtyards to host a food and wine and artistic path. A year later the project “Cuore della Sardegna” was created, which includes among its activities the “Cortes Apertas”, an event that involves several municipalities.
In 2001, in order to start a unified project that offers other countries the opportunity to join the event, the collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and some municipalities was born “Autumn in Barbagia” to promote the productive excellence of a territory that preserves knowledge and flavours of undisputed value.
Promoted and organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Nuoro and the ASPEN Company, the event “Autumn in Barbagia 2021 – A story to live” involves the towns of Oliena, Dorgali, Tonara, Orgosolo and Ottana and provides a calendar of events organized monthly in compliance with the anti-COVID-19 rules.
In addition to the routes among the actual “Cortes”, you can explore valleys, canyons and uncontaminated forests of secular oaks thanks to exciting trekking trails, visit the museums of the territory, participate in the many activities dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Grazia Deledda, learn about archaeological sites and the life of ancient civilizations, admire the colourful murals, witnesses of the most significant historical moments lived-on with emphasis and participation by local people.
It is important to remember that you must keep your distance when visiting the courts and shops, there is a limited number of accesses, the use of the mask is required, and it is necessary to make reservations in some places alongside all the methods already provided by the regulations in force.
More information is available on www.cuoredellasardegna.it or on Facebook and Instagram profiles dedicated to the event (@autunnoinbarbagia). Alternatively, you can send an email to info@cuoredellasardegna.it or call 0784 242504.
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