Things to do in Ittiri

Ittiri is a town of about 8,000 people on a plateau at around 450 metres in the Coros area, about 18 km from Sassari and 28 km from Alghero. It is the “town of red trachyte”, the stone that colours its streets, balconies and façades. It is worth a visit for its Romanesque churches, a landscape packed with nuraghi and necropolises, and one of the island's best-known folk festivals. Ideal for lovers of archaeology, traditions and local produce.

What to see in Ittiri

The old town

Paved streets, red trachyte façades and Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings such as Palazzo Sussarellu reflect the town's farming wealth. Sculptures from the Trachyte Biennial stand in the squares.

The churches

San Pietro in Vincoli, from the 13th century, keeps a cross-vaulted choir, its oldest part. The former convent of San Francesco (1610) is now the parish church. In the countryside stands Nostra Signora di Coros, a 13th-century Cistercian church linked to the abbey of Paulis, whose ruins lie between Ittiri and Uri.

Sa Figu and the archaeological sites

The area has dozens of nuraghi (Bronze Age stone towers). The Sa Figu necropolis combines domus de janas (rock-cut tombs) and later tombs, with a proto-nuraghe and a megalithic circle nearby. Also worth seeing are the Ochila necropolis, the Musellos tombs and the Runara area, with dolmens, nuraghi, giants' tombs and a sacred well.

The radio museum

On Via Dante, the “Mario Faedda” radio museum displays vintage sets next to an old mill.

Things to do in Ittiri

Explore the countryside of olive groves, vineyards and artichoke fields on foot or by bike, from archaeological site to country church; nearby lakes Cuga, Bidighinzu and Temo offer walks and fishing. Visit the olive mills where Bosana oil is pressed, taste cheese on a farm or discover trachyte carving and rug weaving. Discover the experiences offered by local operators just below.

History

Inhabited since pre-Nuragic times, the area was home in the Nuragic age to the Coracenses mentioned by Ptolemy. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Giudicato (medieval kingdom) of Torres, was later disputed between the Doria and Arborea, and around 1350 passed to the Aragonese. The plagues of 1376 and 1657 hit it hard; under Savoy rule it became a county and was freed from feudal ties in 1839.

Food and shopping

Ittiri is the land of the Sardinian spiny artichoke and of Bosana extra-virgin olive oil, pressed in the town's mills. Try the sheep's cheeses, honey and pirichitos, small iced sweets. Good souvenirs are trachyte objects, rugs and buttons from the traditional costume.

Festivals and traditions

In the second half of July, the Ittiri Folk Festa, founded in 1985, brings song and dance groups from all over the world. Between late March and early April, Prendas de Ittiri showcases local food and crafts. Late June sees the feast of St John the Baptist, 8 September the feast of Nostra Signora di Coros and late September San Maurizio. In December, Sardinian choirs fill the Christmas concerts.

Nearby

• Uri: the Santa Caterina Nuragic complex and Lake Cuga.
• Usini: wineries and the S'Elighe Entosu necropolis.
• Ossi: the Mesu 'e Montes necropolis.
• Banari: the country church of Santa Maria di Cea.
• Alghero: sea and old town, about 28 km away.

Getting there and when to go

Alghero-Fertilia airport is about 30 minutes by car, Porto Torres port about 40. ARST buses link Ittiri with Sassari and Alghero. Spring is perfect for artichokes, green fields and Prendas; July for the Folk Festa.

FAQ

How much time do I need for Ittiri?

One day for the old town, churches and Sa Figu; two if you want to explore Runara and the lakes.

When is the Ittiri Folk Festa?

Traditionally in the second half of July.

Is Ittiri good for families?

Yes: open-air archaeological sites and summer festivals are a great discovery for children too.