Things to do in Nughedu San Nicolò

Nughedu San Nicolò is a village of about 700 people in the Monteacuto, eastern Logudoro, at almost 600 metres above sea level, stretched along a long, narrow valley beside the Rio Molinu. The name comes from nughedu, “walnut grove”: until the early 1900s the valley was covered in walnut trees; San Nicolò (St Nicholas) is the patron saint, and sets it apart from Nughedu Santa Vittoria. It's a quiet place, ideal if you love stone villages, archaeology and the forests of the Sardinian heartland, with Ozieri just a few kilometres away.

What to see in Nughedu San Nicolò

Old town

The heart of the village is Piazza Marconi, with a 19th-century fountain and elegant buildings. Narrow streets are lined with late-19th and early-20th-century houses with carved door and window frames; at the entrance to the village, down in the valley, some homes are built into rock fissures and closed with dressed-stone fronts.

Churches

The parish church of San Nicola holds a mural painting by Aligi Sassu. The 17th-century church of San Sebastiano, on the western edge of the village, has an 18th-century wooden altar with statues of the Madonna, Christ and St Sebastian. In the countryside are the small 14th-century churches of Sant'Antonio Abate and San Pietro.

Sos Furrighesos necropolis

Not far from the village, in Anela's territory, the Sos Furrighesos necropolis has 18 domus de janas (prehistoric rock-cut tombs), many decorated with bulls' heads in relief and painted or carved garlands. One tomb has an entrance framed by a stele carved into the rock, like those of the giants' tombs.

Things to do in Nughedu San Nicolò

The village makes a good base for exploring the woods and mountains of the Goceano and Monteacuto: the Anela Forest, the Fiorentini forest and Monte Lerno are perfect for trekking, horse riding and days outdoors. Closer by, country paths lead to Nuragic remains and the ancient settlement of Su Soldanu. Discover the experiences offered by local operators below and choose yours.

History

The area was already inhabited in pre-Nuragic and Nuragic times. In the Middle Ages Nughedu belonged to the Judicate of Torres; after 1259 it passed to the Doria, the Malaspina and briefly to Arborea, then to the Aragonese, who granted it as a fief to the Centelles in 1421. In the 18th century it became part of the Duchy of Monte Acuto and was freed in 1839, when feudalism was abolished.

What to eat and buy

The signature dish is panafittas: slices of bread soaked in sheep or beef broth, drained and topped with tomato sauce, meat and cheese. The village has a tradition of cheesemaking and of crafts in wood, leather and iron.

Festivals and traditions

In late June, during the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the village holds the Sagra de sas panafittas. The local dialect is northern Logudorese Sardinian.

Nearby

• Ozieri, with the San Michele cave and the archaeological museum.
• Ittireddu, with the churches of Santa Croce and San Giacomo.
• Pattada, capital of the Sardinian knife, and Monte Lerno.
• Anela and Bultei, gateways to the Goceano forests.

Getting there and when to go

You reach it via Ozieri, which is linked to Sassari and Olbia by the SS 597. Olbia and Alghero-Fertilia airports are both about an hour and a half by car; the handiest ports are Olbia and Porto Torres. Spring and autumn are ideal for the woods, and in late June you can taste panafittas at the festival.

FAQ

What are panafittas?

A humble dish of bread soaked in broth and topped with sauce, meat and cheese.

How long do you need for Nughedu San Nicolò?

Half a day for the village and Sos Furrighesos; add a day if you want to walk in the nearby forests.

Is Nughedu San Nicolò good for families?

Yes: it's quiet and close to woods and green areas suitable for children too.