Barbagia
On the road to Nuoro
This region received its name (“barbarian land”) from the Romans. For a long time it was considered the retreat of the “bandits” of Sardinia.
The Barbagia is the central mountainous region of the island. The Gennargentu massif reaches 1834 metres with its highest peak – Punta la Marmora. The southern slopes of the massif are still covered by large forests.
The most important place and capital of the province of the same name is Nuoro. Here, a trip to the local mountain, Monte Ortobene, is recommended. You can drive up to the top and from there you have a wonderful view to the Supramonte with the village of Oliena in front of it.
In Nuoro there is also an interesting folk art museum where you can see the traditional costumes of the island as well as the products of traditional Sardinian handicrafts.
At Grazia Deledda’s birthplace, which has been turned into a museum, you can learn about the way of life and domestic conditions of Sardinian citizens in the 19th century.
Murales in Orgosolo
The most famous village in Barbagia is certainly Orgosolo. The place has its reputation as the most notorious “bandit village” in Sardinia.
If you take a closer look at the history of Sardinia, it quickly becomes clear that many people became bandits out of pure need and desperation. Apart from family feuds, it was above all the centuries-long oppression of the rural population that led to armed raids in other regions of the island as well.
Today, a trip to Orgosolo is worthwhile simply for the many mural paintings (murales).
The other mountain villages of Barbagia such as Fonni, Orune or Mamoiada are also worth seeing. Many of these places can serve as starting points for wonderful hikes into the mountain world of Sardinia.
Near Sadali you can visit the beautiful cave “Grotta de is Janas”.
If you just want to take a short trip from the coast up here, you can take the “Trenino Verde“.
My recommendation: Take advantage of the packages that include lunch and the transfer to the cave. You can spend the day much more relaxed this way.