Autunno in Barbagia 2023: the event promoting and enhancing the Sardinian hinterland
Just like in previous years, from September to December, experience these ancient territories with this event.
“Autunno in Barbagia” is about to return, the event born in 2001 to promote and enhance the Sardinian internal territories, rich in countries that boast productive excellence, suggestive material and immaterial traditions and custodians of knowledge and flavours of absolute value.
From the 2nd of September to the 17th of December 2023, here is the ideal opportunity to get to know, in an experiential way, the Sardinian hinterland and buy local products after having discovered the production phases with your own eyes.
The calendar of events is constantly updated: to receive “in real time” all the information, we invite you to consult the official website of the event, to follow the Facebook page, the Instagram channel, the Twitter channel and to contact the organizers and promoters to the email address info@cuoredellasardegna.it or call 0784 242504.
“Autunno in Barbagia” Calendar, September 2023
During the September month, “Autunno in Barbagia” will feature the villages of Bitti from the 2nd to the 3rd of September, Oliena from the 9th to the 10th, Sarule and Teti from the 16th to the 17th of September, Austis and Orani from 23rd to 24th.
Let’s get to know them better.
Bitti, the heart of Barbagia
The main centre of northern Barbagia, Bitti, with ancient origins, is part of the Authentic Villages of Italy and stands 500 meters in the green of a valley embraced by rolling hills dotted with a myriad of nature trails that open onto enchanting views.
It also houses the exceptional complex of Romanzes, a village sanctuary of the prehistory, the Museum of Rural and Pastoral Civilization where you can learn about uses, customs and traditions, and boasts the mastery of the choirs that pass on the art of ancient singing “a tenore”, considered UNESCO World Heritage.
Oliena, romantic painting
In Nuoro, a gem set among the mountains and embraced by springs and woods, the village of Oliena, Orange Flag of the Touring Club, is synonymous with craftsmanship, hospitality, nature and culture.
The talent of its inhabitants gives life to fine embroidery, filigree jewellery, wooden chests, excellence of the fields including Nepente oil and wine, and delicious pastoral cuisine that gives life to savoury and sweet dishes that cannot be forgotten.
Sarules, legendary carpets
Sarule is watched over by the mountain that houses the highest church on the island (at 1100 meters), the picturesque Sanctuary of Our Lady of Gonare.
The village, surmounted by three limestone peaks, is known for the production of carpets with vertical frames, stylised and coloured, enriched with geometric designs or figures inspired by nature or agricultural activities.
Teti, open-air museum
Teti, in central Sardinia, is a real “open-air archaeological museum”, which rose to prominence for the discovery of the village sanctuary of Abini, a pilgrimage destination for the ancient Nuragic peoples.
But not only that: the village also boasts the settlements on Carratzu and Ballu, nuraghi Alinedu and Turria and the complex of s‘Urbale with nuraghe, a village with 50 huts and tombs of the Giants.
Austis, ancient traditions
Ancient traditions and a territory rich in natural monuments are the flagships of Austis, among the mountains of Barbagia di Ollalai, characterized by imposing rocks carved by time and dense forests of holm oaks, oaks and cork oaks.
A walk through the beautiful granite houses of the historic centre leads to admire the Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Assumption, with valuable works by the local artist Elio Sanna.
Orani, a country of artists
Orani, about twenty kilometres from Nuoro, is a land of archaeological sites, buildings of worship, artisan traditions and above all artists.
The town counts about three thousand inhabitants and has given birth to famous artists of the twentieth century and contemporaries including Nivola, Delitala, Paolo Modolo and Salvatore Niffoi.
In particular, the homonymous museum is dedicated to Nivola on a scenic hill.
“Autunno in Barbagia” Calendar, October 2023
During the month of October, “Autunno in Barbagia” will feature the villages of Dorgali, Lula and Orotelli from 30th September to 1st October, Gavoi, Lollove and Tonara on 7th and 8th, Meana Sardo, Onanì and Orgosolo on 14thth and 15, Belvì, Ottana and Sorgono on 21st and 22nd, and Aritzo and Olzai on 28th and 29th.
Let’s discover them together.
Dorgali, between nature and beauty
The strength of Dorgali is its immense natural heritage of 225 square kilometres, ranging from the wild mountains of Supramonte to the fabulous sea of Sardinia.
In addition, the picturesque streets of the centre, between shops and houses in volcanic stone, will lead you to discover the churches and the artisan vocation of the village with ceramics and filigree jewellery.
Lula, heart of Baronìa
Forty kilometres from Nuoro, Lula has its roots in the Neolithic and also recalls the recent past of exploitation of the silver and lead mines of sos Enattos and Guzzurra-s‘Arghentaria, part of the Geomining Park of Sardinia.
Here is staged one of the most particular carnivals of the island, on Carrasecare luvules, whose masked character is the protagonist on Battiledhu (‘victim’).
Orotelli, an authentic italianvillage
On the granite plateau of sa Serra, Orotelli, part of the authentic villages of Italy, boasts one of the most important carnivals of Barbagia, with the famous masked character of the Thurpos (the blind).
It is also known for the production of high-quality wheat and for the skill of shoemakers who know how to make admirable sos cambales (boots) in leather.
Gavoi, a jewel village
Pearl of the Barbagia of Ollolai is Gavoi, Orange Flag of the Touring Club.
A walk through the streets of the centre reveals the excellence of the Gavoese naturalistic context: elegant granite houses, flowered balconies and magnificent panoramic views of the green valleys all around it.
Lollove, a timeless place
Lollove, among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, is a timeless place, with many houses now in ruins, steep and narrow cobbled streets, and a surreal silence.
With few inhabitants, and an aura of legends, the medieval rural village of Sardinia transports you into the present day.
Tonara, green village
To the southwest of the Gennargentu Park, Tonara is one of the greenest villages on the island, surrounded by centuries-old chestnut trees, walnuts and hazelnuts, a lush forest perfect for trekking and hiking.
The most awaited event is the Nougat Festival, which has taken place every year, since 1979, on Easter Monday.
Meana Sardo, a place of convivial spirit
It is a convivial spirit that characterises Meana Sardo, which is expressed every year in the participation in “Autunno in Barbagia” with the Cheese Festival at the end of June and with the fires of Sant’Antonio Abate in mid-January.
All around it, the richness of natural beauty between rugged mountains and hills planted with vineyards.
Onanì, a suggestive landscape
Onanì offers a truly suggestive natural landscape where the jumps of Mamone stretch. An authentic Italian village, rich in popular traditions and history, embellished by the murals of the painter Pietro Asproni and students of the Brera Academy that evoke scenes of agro-pastoral life.
Orgosolo, village-museum
A paradise for trekkers, Orgosolo is a picturesque village museum, the cradle of murals and tenor singing, an intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Truly enchanting paintings adorn the houses of the old town, the facades of the new buildings, the streets and squares.
Ottana, the village of Boes and Merdules
Of pastoral origin, Ottana is the home of one of the most famous carnivals in Sardinia, which stars the monstrous wooden masks of the Boes and Merdules whose first showing takes place on the occasion of the fires of Sant’Antonio Abate in mid-January.
The rites of Holy Week are also deeply felt.
Sorgono, which thrilled Lawrence
The historic capital of Mandrolisai, a granite village with ancient traditions that fascinated the writer Lawrence, Sorgono boasts a territory with mountainous landscapes shaped by the wind and incredible views of the Iscalas plateau.
It serves as the terminus of the Green Train, a true experience of slow tourism.
Aritzo, a holiday resort
The uncontaminated nature, the springs and the healthy air make Aritzo a pleasant mountain resort, in Barbagia di Belvì, in the heart of a gentle valley rich in forests.
Worth seeing? The Ethnographic Museum of the Sardinian Mountains, the seventeenth-century Spanish prisons and the Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
Olzai, the “country of graduates”
Olzai is the guardian of ancient customs, among the granite houses and the narrow streets and paved alleys of the centre: choral music, engraving and bread making.
Do not miss the house-museum of the painter-engraver Carmelo Floris to whom the art gallery in the town hall is also dedicated with 150 works.
“Autunno in Barbagia” Calendar, November 2023
During the month of November, “Autumn in Barbagia” will see as protagonists the villages of Desulo on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, Mamoiada on 3rd, 4th and 5th, Ovodda on 4th and 5th, Nuoro and Tiana on 11th and 12th, Atzara on 18th and 19th, Lodine and Ollolai on 25th and 26th.
Desulo, a characteristic mountain village
Desulo allows you to admire centuries-old traditions and the charm of nature and to live exciting trekking experiences.
In addition to the elegant traditional costume, see the house museum Carta and the famous Sardinian poet of the first half of the twentieth century Antioco Casula which houses the ethnographic museum of Montanaru.
Mamoiada, the village of the Mamuthones and the Issohadores
Between Gennargentu and Supramonte, Mamoiada is the famous village of Mamuthones and Issohadores, protagonists of one of the most significant carnivals in Sardinia.
The rolling granite hills all around are home to the renowned Cannonau and Granazza wine.
Ovodda, a curious carnival
In the heart of Barbagia di Ollolai, Ovodda is famous for its lively murals and delicious breads and sweets.
The event par excellence is the mehuris de lessia, the Ash Wednesday carnival, with the procession of intintos, with the face smeared with soot, and intinghidores, those who smear.
Nuoro, the Athens of Sardinia
City of culture and tradition, “the Athens of Sardinia”, Nuoro is art, museums, and historic districts where you can take a leap in time between squares, arcades, courtyards and ancient stone houses.
Of note are the Deleddiano Museum and the Museum of Sardinian Life and Popular Traditions.
Tiana, the village of orbace
On the western slopes of Gennargentu, Tiana is the town of orbace, that fabric obtained from the spinning of wool that today is used to make traditional winter clothes.
Tiana is tradition, genuine products, simple lifestyle and a long, healthy and serene existence.
Atzara, a pretty medieval village
Atzara is a pretty medieval village of Mandrolisai with an urban layout of the Catalan era.
Refined is the textile tradition that is expressed in the particular female dress with the unmistakable headdress (sa tiagiola), famous in the paintings of the twentieth century.
Lodine, archaeological sites
In a wonderful area where Lake Gusana stands out, Lodine, in its territory of dense woods, springs and granite natural monuments, preserves important archaeological sites including the Domus de Janas necropolis of Uniai, twelve nuraghi and two tombs of Giants.
Ollolai, the art of weaving
In Ollolai the art of weaving is splendid, and whose raw material is asphodel: to admire the baskets made by women during the exhibition de s’iscrarionzu and village festivals.
Of great interest are the archaeological park of Santu Basili and the church of San Basilio Magno.
“Autunno in Barbagia” Calendar, December 2023
During the month of December, “Autunno in Barbagia” will feature the villages of Gadoni and Oniferi on 1st and 2nd, Fonni on 8th, 9th and 10th, Ortueri on 9th and 10th and Orune on the 16th and 17th.
Gadoni, wild nature
It is the wild face of nature that gives Gadoni, 700 meters on the slopes of Gennargentu.
Here, among lakes, waterfalls, gorges and canyons, it is the destination of excellence for trekking and horseback riding: the places are truly magical.
Oniferi, pastoral tradition
A small town of pastoral tradition, Oniferi, inhabited since the Neolithic is full of archaeological sites with countless menhirs, tombs of Giants, dolmens, about forty nuraghi and Domus de Janas.
It is also one of the centres where the tradition of tenor singing is alive.
Fonni, ski resort par excellence
A famous ski destination, Fonni is also a paradise for trekking, a “mountain” resort, the fulcrum of the Fonnese carnival, with the masks of Urthos and Buttudos, and of the Gremanu complex, an archaeological jewel of the Nuragic territory.
Ortueri, unspoiled nature
In the forests of Mandrolisai, the village of Ortueri, of medieval origin but with Roman traces, is renowned for the weaving of orbace and wooden artefacts.
All around, unspoiled nature: cork oaks, holm oaks, vineyards and fresh springs.
Orune, vestiges of the past
Centre of Nuoro at 800 meters high, Orune boasts tenor singing, manufacturing art and good food.
But that’s not all: its territory, inhabited since the Neolithic, still preserves the vestiges of the past with a dozen nuraghi, the village of Sant’Efis and the well temple of su Tempiesu, just to name a few.
Would you like to participate in the Autunno in Barbagia festival and enjoy a holiday full of charm and elegance? Book a stay at Palazzo Doglio in Cagliari
