Things to do in Teti
Things to do in Teti, Sardinia: S'Urbale Nuragic village, Abini sanctuary, archaeological museum, Lake Cucchinadorza and summer festivals.
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Teti is a village in the Barbagia di Ollolai at about 714 metres, on the north-western slopes of the Gennargentu, around 58 km from Nuoro. Its land, wooded and cut by deep valleys, is among the richest in Nuragic archaeology in central Sardinia: here you'll find the village of S'Urbale and the sanctuary of Abini, source of famous bronze figurines. It's ideal for ancient-history buffs, hikers and anyone looking for genuine village festivals.
What to see in Teti
S'Urbale Nuragic village
On a hill at about 900 metres, on the road to Austis, it includes a nuraghe and a village of round huts with stone floors and central hearths, destroyed by an ancient fire.
Abini Nuragic sanctuary
A village-sanctuary with a sacred well, in use from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age. In the 19th century many votive bronzes were found here; they are now in the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari.
Archaeological museum
In the village centre, it displays finds from S'Urbale, a reconstructed hut and a Neolithic female figurine found on the Atzadalai plateau.
Churches
The parish church of Santa Maria della Neve has a 17th-century, three-aisled layout. About a kilometre outside the village, the medieval country church of San Sebastiano is surrounded by cumbessias, pilgrims' lodgings.
Things to do in Teti
Beyond the archaeology, there are trails through holm oak, cork oak and chestnut, granite peaks where golden eagles nest, and a chance to spot mouflon, red deer and fallow deer. Nearby lies Lake Cucchinadorza, a reservoir on the Taloro. For guided visits to Nuragic sites and nature hikes, explore what local operators offer below.
History
The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic, as finds from the Atzadalai plateau show, but it flourished with the Nuragic civilisation: villages, nuraghi such as Alineddu, Istei and Turrìa, giants' tombs and sanctuaries. The present village is medieval, in the Austis district of the Judicate of Arborea. In the 19th century, with the end of feudalism, it became an independent municipality; since 1927 it has been in the province of Nuoro.
What to eat and buy
The economy is based on sheep and goat farming, plus fruit, wine and olive oil. On the table: fresa bread baked in a wood oven, sas cocois, meats and cured meats, and cheeses such as casizolu.
Festivals and traditions
- Carnival, peaking on Ash Wednesday with a masked parade and the symbolic killing of a puppet.
- Madonna della Neve, the patron saint, 5 August.
- San Sebastiano, late August: a nine-day festival at the country church, one of the longest in Sardinia.
- Autunno in Barbagia, in autumn.
Nearby
- Austis and the Sa Crabarissa rock.
- Tiana and its orbace fulling mill.
- Ovodda, a village of the Barbagia di Ollolai.
- Sorgono, with San Mauro and the Biru 'e Concas menhirs.
Getting there and when to go
It's about an hour's drive from Nuoro and about two hours from Cagliari-Elmas airport. Spring and autumn are perfect for archaeological sites; August is festival month.
FAQ
Where can I see the Abini bronzes?
At the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari; in Teti you can visit the site and the local museum.
How long do I need for Teti?
One day for the museum, S'Urbale and Abini.
Is Teti good for families?
Yes: the reconstructed hut in the museum helps kids imagine Nuragic life.
