Things to do in Giave

Giave is a small village in the Meilogu, in Sardinia's Logudoro, built on a basalt tableland a few kilometres from the SS 131 highway and about 45 km from Sassari. Its land is one of the island's most unusual landscapes: extinct volcanic cones, a lava monolith rising from the plain and a valley packed with nuraghi. It suits hikers, geology and archaeology lovers, and anyone wanting an authentic stop on the road between Sassari and Cagliari.

What to see in Giave

The volcanic craters and Monte Annaru-Pòddighe

Giave lies within the Meilogu volcanic craters natural monument, a group of small pointed or rounded cones. The most striking is Monte Annaru-Pòddighe, almost 500 metres high: its lava flow formed the Campu Giavesu tableland, and in autumn and winter a small lake fills its crater.

Pedra Mendalza

South of the mountain rises Pedra Mendalza, a monolith about 100 metres tall: it is a volcanic "neck", the conduit of an ancient volcano left standing after erosion stripped away the rock around it. Crows and goshawks nest on its walls.

Nuraghe Oes and the Valley of the Nuraghi

Nuraghe Oes is one of the island's most interesting Bronze Age towers: a main tower about 11 metres high, a bastion with two towers, a courtyard and a surrounding village. It stands in the Cabu Abbas plain, the so-called Valley of the Nuraghi, one of the Sardinian areas richest in nuraghi and domus de janas (rock-cut tombs), such as Riu Mulinu.

The village and its churches

The old centre has a late medieval layout and some murals. Look out for the 16th-century parish church of Sant'Andrea, with an octagonal bell tower and bronze door; Santa Croce, with an old wooden altar; San Sisto, in a panoramic spot; and the sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian, a pilgrimage site.

Things to do in Giave

• Crater hikes: in the warmer months you can walk down the walls of Monte Annaru-Pòddighe.
• Pinnettas trails, past drystone shepherds' huts with conical roofs, on easy paths.
• Guided tours of Nuraghe Oes and the Valley of the Nuraghi.
• Sunset photography between Pedra Mendalza and the volcanic cones.

Scroll down to see the hikes and tours offered by Meilogu operators and book yours.

History

Inhabited since prehistory, the Giave area hosted a Punic-era settlement possibly called Hafa. The Romans built a road junction here linking Caralis (Cagliari), Turris (Porto Torres) and Olbia. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the Judicate of Torres; after 1259 it passed to the Doria, then to Arborea and the Aragonese. In 1436 it was granted as a fief together with Cossoine and remained so until it was bought out in 1839. It joined the anti-feudal uprisings of 1795, and the 19th-century railway brought a period of growth.

Food and local products

Giave lives by farming and herding: pecorino cheeses, ricotta, lamb and the breads and sweets of the Logudoro are the flavours to look for.

Festivals and traditions

The most heartfelt feast is that of Saints Cosmas and Damian in late September, with a pilgrimage to the sanctuary that draws worshippers from across the island.

Nearby

• Torralba and Nuraghe Santu Antine.
• Bonorva, about 3 km away, with Rebeccu and Sant'Andrea Priu.
• Cossoine and Santa Maria Iscalas.
• Cheremule and the Moseddu necropolis.
• Semestene and San Nicola di Trullas.

Getting there and when to go

Giave is minutes from the SS 131 and has a railway station in the valley on the line to Sassari and Cagliari. The nearest airport is Alghero-Fertilia, about an hour's drive; the ferry port is Porto Torres. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for climbing the craters.

FAQ

How long do I need for Giave?

A full day for the craters, Pedra Mendalza and Nuraghe Oes; half a day for the village alone.

Is Giave good for families?

Yes: the pinnettas trails are easy and kids love the Valley of the Nuraghi.

What is the big rock near Giave?

It is Pedra Mendalza, the chimney of an ancient volcano laid bare by erosion.