Marmilla and Sarcidano · Città metropolitana di Cagliari

Things to do in Nurri

Things to do in Nurri, Sardinia: a five-tower nuraghe, Lake Flumendosa and Lake Mulargia, boat trips, the Trenino Verde, food and festivals.

Nurri, Sardegna — © ggalleri · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

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Nurri is a town of about two thousand people in Sarcidano, south-central Sardinia, built at around 600 metres on the ridge of an ancient extinct volcano. It's known as the «land of lakes» because it overlooks the Flumendosa and Mulargia reservoirs, amid hills that roll towards Barbagia and Ogliastra. It's perfect if you love nuraghi, outings on the water and slow travel aboard the Trenino Verde.

What to see in Nurri

Church of San Michele Arcangelo

The parish church was built in the 16th century in Catalan Gothic style and remodelled in the 18th. Its bell tower stands apart from the church and has a terracotta doorway.

Church of Santa Rosa da Viterbo

Dating from the mid-17th century, it adjoins the former Capuchin convent and has a fine trachyte façade. Out in the countryside are the churches of Sant'Antonio da Padova, San Pietro, San Giovanni Battista and San Luigi Gonzaga.

Nuraghi and domus de janas

The area is packed with prehistoric remains. Su Pittu de is Cangialis is one of the rare five-tower nuraghi and offers a superb view of Lake Flumendosa. The village's original core grew up around the Sardajara nuraghe; others include Corongiu 'e Maria and Santu Perdu. There are also many domus de janas, tombs carved into the rock.

Ancient Biora

Near the town stood the Punic-Roman city of Biora, of which ruins, mosaics and tombs survive.

Things to do in Nurri

The lakes are the big draw: take a boat trip or paddle a canoe, try sport fishing (carp, perch, trout) or go birdwatching for herons, mallards and kingfishers. When the level of the Mulargia drops, an old bridge that once linked the area to Barbagia resurfaces. The surrounding hills suit hiking and mountain biking, and in summer you can hop on the Trenino Verde, the heritage railway that stops at Nurri on its tourist line between Mandas and Arbatax. Scroll down to discover the experiences offered by local operators.

History

The area was inhabited in pre-Nuragic, Nuragic, Punic and Roman times. In the Middle Ages Nurri belonged to the Judicate of Cagliari, in the Siurgus district; after 1258 it came under Pisa and from 1324 under the Aragonese, who in the early 1600s made it part of the duchy of Mandas. It was freed from feudal rule in 1839.

What to eat and buy

The fertile land yields cereals, wine grapes and olives, and the pastures excellent cheese. Traditional first courses include fregula, malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchetti) and ravioli. Local crafts work wood, iron and stone: stone millstones and folding pocket knives are typical.

Festivals and traditions

The most heartfelt celebration is the feast of Santa Rosa da Viterbo, in early September, with religious rites and festivities in town.

Nearby

Orroli: Nuraghe Arrubiu, one of Sardinia's largest, and the Su Motti rock tomb.
Serri: the Nuragic sanctuary of Santa Vittoria, with its sacred well.
Esterzili: the megaron temple of Sa Domu de Orgia.
Villanova Tulo: the Adoni nuraghe.
Isili: the Is Paras nuraghe and the copper and textile museum.

Getting there and when to go

From Cagliari, head up towards Mandas and Sarcidano: Cagliari airport and port are about an hour and a quarter by car. Arbatax port, on the east coast, is the other useful arrival point. Spring and early autumn are ideal for the lakes and hiking; summer is Trenino Verde season. The nearest sea is about an hour and a half away.