Barbagia and Nuoro area · Provincia di Nuoro

Things to do in Belvì

Things to do in Belvì, Sardinia: natural history museum, Trenino Verde station, Su de Maccioni woods, caschettes pastries and cherry festival.

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Belvì is a small mountain village at around 660 metres on the slopes of Monte Genna de Crobu, and it gives its name to the whole Barbagia di Belvì. It lies in the centre of Sardinia, about 70 km from both Nuoro and Oristano, wrapped in woods of chestnut, hazel, cherry and holm oak, with the Gennargentu to the east. It's a lovely stop if you're travelling on the Trenino Verde, for families curious about nature and for anyone with a sweet tooth.

What to see in Belvì

Natural history museum

The village's surprise: around a thousand minerals from Sardinian mines, 300 fossils, insect collections, some 400 species of Sardinian birds and 70 mammals, shells, reptiles, amphibians and a large loggerhead turtle.

Old town and churches

In the centre are the parish church of Sant'Agostino and the small churches of San Sebastiano and Santa Margherita. Old kilns for lime, tiles and bricks also survive, a reminder of a once-important trade.

Archaeology

The woods hide domus de janas, pre-Nuragic tombs cut into the rock. Along the main road stands the reconstructed giants' tomb of Troculu.

The old station

The Trenino Verde stops at Belvì's old station; right after, the line sweeps around a panoramic curve above the valleys.

Things to do in Belvì

This is walking country: the Su de Maccioni nature reserve, Punta Tonnai, the Pitz'e Pranu pine wood and the Uatzo forest with picnic areas, plus the S'Iscara valley with orchards and centuries-old walnut trees. A ride on the Trenino Verde is a slow, scenic way to arrive. For hikes, bike rides and nature experiences, check what local operators offer below.

History

Finds from the area range from the Neolithic to the Romanesque period. In the Middle Ages Belvì was part of the Judicate of Arborea; in 1388 it passed to the Aragonese and became the seat of the lordship of Barbagia di Belvì. In 1839, with the end of feudalism, it became an independent municipality. In 1834 the writer Vittorio Angius praised its greenery and scenery.

What to eat and buy

The signature sweet is caschettes: thin hand-worked pastry, made here since the 17th century, filled with hazelnuts and honey and scented with orange. The woods yield cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts and chestnuts. Local crafts include woodcarving and ironwork.

Festivals and traditions

Santa Margherita and the cherry festival, early June, with a crafts fair.
Sant'Agostino, the patron saint, in August.
Autunno in Barbagia, in autumn, a chance to taste caschettes.

Nearby

Aritzo, a few minutes away, the chestnut village.
Meana Sardo and the Nolza nuraghe.
Gadoni and the Funtana Raminosa mine.
Desulo and the Gennargentu, towards Punta La Marmora.

Getting there and when to go

It's about two hours by car from Cagliari-Elmas airport; Nuoro and Oristano are about an hour and a quarter away. In summer you can arrive on the Trenino Verde along the Mandas–Sorgono line. Early June is perfect for cherries, autumn for woods and chestnuts; in summer the cool mountain air is a relief.