Things to do in Pattada

Pattada is a village of about 2,800 people in the Monteacuto, eastern Logudoro, sitting at over 800 metres: it's the highest town in the province of Sassari, halfway between Sassari and Nuoro. Its name is known worldwide thanks to the resolza pattadese, the quintessential Sardinian folding knife. Around it rises Monte Lerno, with forests, a lake, deer and mouflon. It's ideal if you love genuine craftsmanship, mountain nature, poetry and festivals on horseback.

What to see in Pattada

The knife-makers' workshops

Strolling through the village you can step into workshops where the resolza is forged, with a steel blade and horn handle, much prized by collectors. Every two years, in summer, the Knife Biennial, which began as an exhibition in 1984, draws exhibitors and visitors from many countries.

Churches

The 16th-century parish church of Santa Sabina, in Gothic-Catalan style, has a bronze door. The church of the Rosario, also 16th-century, is late Gothic; San Gavino stands at the top of the village on a hill with views over the Sassari area, Gallura and part of Barbagia.

Olomene castle and archaeology

On the heights north of the village are the ruins of the medieval castle of Olomene. The area has around forty nuraghi, including the Lerno nuraghe and Sa Niera, with a sacred spring, as well as giants' tombs such as Sant'Elia and Otinera and the allée couverte (gallery grave) of Norchetta.

Poets' Square

Pattada is considered a cradle of poetry in Logudorese Sardinian: the Piazza dei poeti di Sardegna honours it with sculptures by Pinuccio Sciola.

Things to do in Pattada

The Monte Lerno forest, rising to 1,094 metres, is full of springs and woods, with a lake and several ponds: perfect for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Reintroduced Sardinian deer, fallow deer and mouflon live here, and you may spot golden eagles and kites overhead. Below you'll find the experiences offered by local operators: from forest hikes to workshop visits, book the one that suits you.

History

The area was already inhabited in pre-Nuragic times: a village has even been found beneath the waters of Lake Lerno. In the Middle Ages Pattada belonged to the Judicate of Torres, then to Arborea; around 1350 it became a Catalan-Aragonese fief and was freed in 1839, when feudalism was abolished.

What to eat and buy

Besides knives, take home some cheese: perette, ricotta and several kinds of pecorino. Sweet treats include origliettas with honey; traditional breads and pastas include su misturu and sas pellizzas.

Festivals and traditions

• Santu Juanne: bonfire on the evening of 23 June and feast of St John the Baptist on the 24th.
• Madonna del Carmelo, on 16 July, with a procession on horseback.
• Santa Sabina, the patron saint, on 29 August, with a procession, riders and folk groups.
• Palio dei vicinati, in late August: ten neighbourhoods compete, with a parade in traditional dress and canto a tenore (Sardinian polyphonic singing).
• Su mortu mortu, on 2 November, when children go door to door asking for sweets.

Nearby

• Ozieri, with the San Michele cave and the archaeological museum.
• Buddusò, with Nuraghe Loelle and granite sculptures.
• Nughedu San Nicolò and the Sos Furrighesos necropolis.

Getting there and when to go

Olbia airport and port are about an hour and a quarter by car; Alghero-Fertilia airport and Porto Torres port also work well, via Sassari and the SS 597 towards Ozieri. Summer is the season of the big festivals and the Biennial, with cooler temperatures than on the coast; spring and autumn are ideal for walking on Monte Lerno.

FAQ

What is the resolza pattadese?

It's Pattada's traditional folding knife, with a steel blade and horn handle, forged by hand by local artisans.

How long do you need for Pattada?

One day for the village and workshops; add another for the Monte Lerno forest.

Is Pattada good for families?

Yes: the forest, the wildlife and the horseback festivals are big hits with children.