Things to do in Mamoiada

Mamoiada is a village in the Barbagia di Ollolai at about 640 metres above sea level, some 15 km from Nuoro. It is the home of the Mamuthones and Issohadores, Sardinia's most famous masks, and one of the best areas for Cannonau wine, with dozens of small wineries. Come for the Museum of Mediterranean Masks, the mysterious standing stone of Sa Perda Pintà and the atmosphere of a village that lives its traditions all year round. It is perfect if you love folk culture, wine and archaeology.

What to see in Mamoiada

The Museum of Mediterranean Masks

This is the must-see stop and one of the most visited museums in Sardinia. It tells the story of the Mamuthones and Issohadores, with costumes, cowbells and wooden masks, and compares them with traditional masks from other European and Mediterranean countries. A video and themed rooms let you experience the ritual even if you cannot attend carnival.

The Museum of Culture and Work

Objects, tools and accounts of farming and shepherding life complement the mask museum and help you understand the local community.

Sa Perda Pintà, the Boeli stele

A large granite slab about 2.7 metres tall, found by chance in 1997 in a house garden. It is carved with concentric or spiral motifs and many cup marks: a unique prehistoric monument whose meaning is still debated.

The churches

In the centre, visit the church of Nostra Signora di Loreto, probably built around 1600, with a richly frescoed dome. About 5 km from the village, on the plateau, stands the sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Santu Cosomo), surrounded by some fifty little pilgrims' houses called umbissìas.

Things to do in Mamoiada

• Cannonau tastings: Mamoiada has around a hundred wineries, mostly small family businesses, on some 350 hectares of vines. Visiting one and tasting with the winemaker is one of the best experiences here.
• Meet the mask makers: some craftsmen still hand-carve the wooden masks of the Mamuthones and Issohadores; watching them work is fascinating.
• Hiking: through vineyards, countryside and uplands, towards the sanctuary of Santu Cosomo and the Barbagia hills.
• Archaeology trails: Sa Perda Pintà and the prehistoric sites of the area, ideally with a guide.

Below you will find the experiences offered by operators in and around Mamoiada, from wineries to cultural tours: choose yours and book.

History

The area was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as the Sa Perda Pintà stele shows, and has Nuragic remains. In the Middle Ages Mamoiada belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea, one of Sardinia's medieval kingdoms; after its fall in 1420 it passed to the Marquisate of Oristano and then to the Aragonese. In 1604 it joined the Duchy of Mandas and was freed in 1839 when feudalism ended. The origins of the Mamuthones remain a mystery: many scholars link them to ancient farming and pastoral rites.

What to eat and buy

The signature product is Cannonau di Mamoiada, a deep, fragrant red. Alongside the wine comes Barbagia cooking: pecorino, cured meats, roast meats, pane carasau flatbread and traditional festive sweets. To take home: a bottle bought straight from the cellar and, for a truly unique souvenir, a wooden mask carved by a local craftsman.

Festivals and traditions

• Sant'Antonio Abate (16–17 January): huge bonfires are lit, and on 17 January the Mamuthones and Issohadores make their first appearance of the year, dancing around the fires.
• Carnival (February–March): the Mamuthones, in black wooden masks and sheepskins with heavy cowbells on their backs, move in slow rhythmic steps; the Issohadores, in white masks and red jackets, lead them and throw the soha, a rope, to "capture" onlookers.
• Saints Cosmas and Damian (26–27 September): a feast at the country sanctuary of Santu Cosomo.
• Autunno in Barbagia: in autumn the village opens its wineries, homes and courtyards to visitors.

Nearby

• Nuoro: museums, Monte Ortobene and Grazia Deledda's house, about 20 minutes away.
• Orgosolo: the village of murals, at the gateway to the Supramonte.
• Fonni: the Gennargentu mountains and the Urthos and Buttudos carnival.
• Gavoi and Lake Gusana: a granite village and a lake among the woods.
• Oliena: Monte Corrasi and the Su Gologone spring.

Getting there and when to go

Mamoiada is about 20 minutes from Nuoro. The nearest airport is Olbia, about an hour and a quarter by car; Cagliari is about two hours away via the SS131 and the Barbagia road. The most thrilling time is January–February, for Sant'Antonio and carnival; autumn is perfect for the grape harvest and wineries, while spring and summer suit hiking and museums.

Frequently asked questions

When can I see the Mamuthones?

Traditionally on 17 January, for Sant'Antonio, and during carnival; they may also appear at special events. The mask museum tells their story all year round.

Can I visit Mamoiada's wineries?

Yes, many wineries welcome visitors for tastings, usually by appointment.

How long do I need for Mamoiada?

Half a day for the museum and centre; a full day if you add a winery and Sa Perda Pintà.

Is Mamoiada good for families?

Yes: children love the mask museum, and carnival is a show they will remember for a long time.