Baronia and Gulf of Orosei · Provincia di Nuoro

Things to do in Loculi

Things to see in Loculi, Sardinia: domus de janas, giants' tombs, nuraghi, Monte Albo hiking trails and the Gulf of Orosei beaches nearby.

Loculi, Sardegna — © Air fans · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

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Loculi is a small farming village in the Baronia, central-eastern Sardinia, set in the Cedrino plain about 34 km from Nuoro. Behind it rises Monte Albo, nicknamed the «Sardinian Dolomite», while the beaches of the Gulf of Orosei are around twenty minutes away by car. It's a quiet base if you want mountain hikes, prehistoric sites and the sea without the bustle of the resorts.

What to see in Loculi

The village and its churches

Between the 15th and 20th centuries Loculi had as many as seventeen churches; two remain today: the parish church of San Pietro and the church of the Madonna de sa Defessa. In the centre, Sa Domo de sas artes e de sos mestieris («the house of arts and trades») displays photographs by Carlo Bavagnoli documenting Baronia's crafts.

Domus de janas and giants' tombs

The area is packed with ancient sites. There are many domus de janas («fairy houses», Neolithic tombs cut into rock), with one chamber, as at Pira 'e Tusu and Ena Longa, or several, as at Tùrrighe and Puntèri. About 2 km from the village, among mastic shrubs, lies the giants' tomb of s'Iscusorju; the one at su Gollèi Lupu still has its stele. Look out too for the Santa Maria dolmen.

The nuraghi

The Caraòcu (or Corricanu) nuraghe is a well-preserved stone tower about five metres high, with its entrance and part of the chamber. The Preda Longa nuraghe crowns the hill of the same name.

Things to do in Loculi

Part of the Monte Albo ridge lies within Loculi and is crossed by waymarked trails: you climb through holm oaks and ancient oaks toward the peaks of Turuddò and Catirina, over a thousand metres high, in a wildlife haven for mouflon and golden eagles. On the northern side the vegetation thins out into an almost lunar landscape. Besides hiking you can explore archaeology, cycle the Cedrino valley and, in summer, take boat trips and beach days on the Gulf of Orosei. Check out the experiences offered by local operators just below.

History

The area was inhabited in pre-Nuragic, Nuragic and Roman times. The name may come from Latin locus, «sacred grove» or «small place». In 1959 a jug with bronze objects and coins, possibly Phoenician-Punic, was found here. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the Giudicato of Gallura, curatoria of Orosei; it then passed to Pisa and, from 1323, to the Aragonese, remaining in the barony of Orosei until it bought its freedom in 1839. From 1928 to 1946 it was merged with Galtellì, Irgoli and Onifai.

What to eat and buy

The food is pure Baronia: pane carasau (crisp flatbread), sheep and goat cheeses, cured meats, roast meats, olive oil and wines from the Cedrino valley, including Cannonau. Traditional sweets are made with almonds, honey and orange peel.

Festivals and traditions

Madonna de sa Defessa: mid-January.
Holy Week: deeply felt rites.
San Pietro: late August.

Nearby

Irgoli, next door: murals, the Antiquarium and the Nuragic sanctuary of Janna 'e Pruna.
Galtellì, a historic village with San Pietro church, the Santissimo Crocifisso and the Sa Domo 'e Marras museum, below Monte Tuttavista.
Onifai and the Cedrino valley.
Orosei and its coastline, with Bidderosa and Su Barone.

Getting there and when to go

The SS 131 DCN highway crosses the north of the municipality, linking Loculi to Nuoro and Olbia: Olbia airport and port are about an hour's drive away. Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking Monte Albo; summer is ideal for combining village life and the sea.