Things to do in Ossi
Things to do in Ossi, Sardinia: Mesu 'e Montes rock tombs, Noeddale, Romanesque churches, ethnographic museum and the San Bartolomeo feast.
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Ossi is a town of about 5,400 people in the Coros area, about 12 km from Sassari, on limestone hills above 300 metres, among green valleys, white cliffs and olive groves. Its territory is one of the richest in Sardinia for domus de janas, with spectacular necropolises such as Mesu 'e Montes. It is worth a visit for its archaeology, Romanesque country churches and living traditions. Ideal for lovers of prehistory, walking and village festivals.
What to see in Ossi
The Mesu 'e Montes necropolis
Carved into a limestone ridge on the slopes of Monte Mamas, it has 18 domus de janas (rock-cut tombs, “fairy houses”), used from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age. Some are true underground houses: tombs I and II have up to 12 rooms, and several keep an arched stele on their façade.
Noeddale and other sites
The Noeddale necropolis, with the 11-room tomb known as “Casa”, the S'Adde 'e Asile necropolis, the megalithic tomb of Ena 'e Muros and the Nuragic village of Sa Mandra 'e sa Giua complete an area that also has several nuraghi, Bronze Age stone towers.
The churches
The parish church of San Bartolomeo, from the early 17th century, has a barrel-vaulted nave and wooden statues. Santa Vittoria dates back to the 12th century with later changes. In the countryside stand the Romanesque Sant'Antonio di Briai, near Punic-Roman remains, and Nostra Signora di Silvaru. The Santa Croce oratory is in the centre.
The baronial palace
The 17th-century baronial palace, the town's finest civic building, houses an ethnographic museum with farm tools and traditional crafts.
Things to do in Ossi
A guided visit to the necropolises is the main experience, combined with walks in the deep valley of the Rio Mascari and over hills of olives and vines, also by mountain bike. For a full day, add sites in nearby villages and central Sassari. Find the experiences offered by local operators just below.
History
The area has been inhabited without interruption since pre-Nuragic times. In the Middle Ages the village, called Ogothi in the Condaghe (monastic register) of San Pietro di Silki, belonged to the Giudicato (medieval kingdom) of Torres; it then passed to the Malaspina and from 1343 to the Crown of Aragon. Held by several Catalan families and finally by the Manca, it was bought back in 1839.
Food and shopping
The olive groves and vineyards covering the hills produce extra-virgin olive oil and wine. In town you can taste Logudoro cooking, from traditional bread to sheep's cheese.
Festivals and traditions
Ossi has a full festival calendar. January brings Sant'Antonio abate, mid-May Santa Vittoria, 2 August the Madonna degli Angeli. The most heartfelt feast is San Bartolomeo, in late August, with a procession in traditional costume. Mid-September brings Santa Croce. The town keeps its Logudorese Sardinian language and old traditions.
Nearby
- Sassari: Piazza d'Italia, the Sanna Museum and Monserrato park.
- Cargeghe: Santa Maria 'e Contra and the Roman road of Sos Baiolos.
- Usini: wineries and the S'Elighe Entosu necropolis.
- Codrongianos: the basilica of Saccargia.
- Ittiri: the town of red trachyte.
Getting there and when to go
A short road links Ossi to the SS 131 highway. Alghero-Fertilia airport is about 35 minutes by car, Olbia about an hour and a quarter; the nearest port is Porto Torres. Spring and autumn are ideal for the necropolises, late August for San Bartolomeo.
FAQ
How much time do I need for Ossi?
Half a day for Mesu 'e Montes and the centre; a full day with Noeddale and the country churches.
Is Ossi good for families?
Yes: stepping inside prehistoric tombs fascinates children too.
What is Ossi's main festival?
San Bartolomeo, in late August, with a procession in costume.
