Things to do in Anela
What to see in Anela, Sardinia: the Forest'Anela woods, Sos Furrighesos rock tombs, the church of Mesumundu, Byzantine ruins and mountain hiking.
We are gathering the first experiences for this area. Check back soon, or tell us about an operator you know.
Anela is a small village in the Goceano, in north-central Sardinia, set at around 450 metres on the slopes of the Marghine-Goceano range. Many historians consider it the oldest settlement in the area, and its land climbs to the wooded upland of Forest'Anela, at about 1,000 metres. Come here for green trails, lonely Romanesque churches and archaeology far from the crowds.
What to see in Anela
Forest'Anela
This state forest covers about 1,000 hectares across Anela, Bono and Bultei. Alongside holm oaks, downy oaks and holly, reforestation begun in 1886 brought fir, beech, chestnut, Atlas cedar and black pine: a patch of almost Apennine woodland in the heart of the island. In spring the meadows burst into flower.
Sos Furrighesos
The Sos Furrighesos necropolis has 18 domus de janas ("fairy houses", tombs carved into rock) arranged on three levels in a cliff face, used from the late Neolithic to the early Bronze Age.
Nostra Signora di Mesumundu and San Giorgio di Aneletto
Near the village stands Santa Maria di Mesumundu, a well-preserved church from 1162 linked to the Cistercians and later the Camaldolese monks. Higher up, close to 1,000 metres, are the walls of a Byzantine outpost with four corner towers; on one of them lie the ruins of the Romanesque church of San Giorgio di Aneletto.
The village
In the centre you will find the parish church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the granite fountain of Funtana Noa and a tower, both from 1886.
Things to do in Anela
- Hiking on the Forest'Anela trails and towards the nearby forests of Fiorentini and Monte Rasu.
- Archaeology walks to Sos Furrighesos and the Byzantine remains.
- Birdwatching and nature photography in the mountain woods.
Below you will find the hikes and experiences offered by Goceano operators: have a look and book yours.
History
The area was inhabited in the Neolithic. One historical tradition holds that the village began as a Roman colony in Sulla's time. In the Middle Ages Anela was the seat of the Goceano district in the Judicate of Torres; after 1259 it passed to Arborea, then to the Marquisate of Oristano and, after the battle of Macomer in 1478, to the Aragonese, remaining a royal fief until 1839. On 31 July 1945 seven forestry workers died fighting a fire in the village woods; a plaque remembers them.
Food and local products
Expect the shepherd cooking of the Goceano: pecorino and ricotta, roast meats, homemade breads and sweets. The area also produces Arvisionadu, a local white wine.
Festivals and traditions
Village life revolves around the patron saints Cosmas and Damian and the country churches, such as Mesumundu, where people gather for religious feasts.
Nearby
- Bultei, with the Fiorentini forest and the Tilariga nuraghe.
- Bono and Monte Rasu.
- Burgos, with its castle and the Museum of Sardinian Castles.
- Benetutti and the San Saturnino hot springs.
Getting there and when to go
The nearest airports are Olbia and Alghero, about an hour and a half's drive away; Olbia is also the handiest ferry port. Spring, with its flowering meadows, and autumn are the best times; in summer the altitude keeps it cooler than the lowlands.
FAQ
How long do I need for Anela?
One day lets you see the village and Mesumundu and enjoy a forest hike.
Is Forest'Anela good for families?
Yes: there are easy trails and shady areas, great with children.
Is Anela near the sea?
No, it is a mountain village in the island's interior.
