Things to do in Dualchi

Dualchi is a small Marghine village of around 550 people, set at about 320 metres on the northern edge of the Abbasanta basalt plateau. Fields, woods and a surprising archaeological heritage surround it, led by nuraghe Ponte. Here prickly pears are a household ingredient, and the feast of San Pietro ends with a spectacular horse race. Ideal if you want archaeology, traditions and peace and quiet.

What to see in Dualchi

Nuraghe Ponte and the Cubas complex

Nuraghe Ponte, a Bronze Age stone tower about 11 metres tall, stands out for its building technique with huge blocks. Close by, the Cubas complex has a proto-nuraghe, giants' tombs, truncated-cone betyls (sacred stones) and a Nuragic spring.

More archaeological sites

The area is packed with remains: nuraghi such as Biriola and Bardalazzu, dolmens, domus de janas (rock-cut tombs), the megalithic wall of Su Frenegarzu and, south of the village, a Roman cemetery from the 3rd-4th century.

Churches

The parish church of San Leonardo abate, the patron saint, dates from the 16th century and stands on the remains of a 12th-century building. Also see the church of the Vergine d'Itria (late 15th century) and Sant'Antonio abate. Just outside the village is the country sanctuary of San Pietro, in Gothic-Aragonese style, surrounded by cumbessias, old pilgrims' lodgings.

Things to do in Dualchi

• Archaeology tours of nuraghe Ponte, Cubas and the giants' tombs.
• Country walks on trails through woods and pastures.
• Tastings of prickly pear sweets and liqueur.

To discover these places with someone who knows them well, take a look at the experiences offered by local operators just below.

History

Settled in the Nuragic age and later by Punic and Roman peoples, the area belonged in the Middle Ages to the Giudicato (medieval Sardinian kingdom) of Torres, then fell under Arborea's influence in the 14th century. In 1478 the villagers fought alongside Leonardo Alagon against the Aragonese; after the defeat Dualchi became a fief of the Pimentel and then the Tellez-Giron families, until it was bought out in 1839.

Food and shopping

Prickly pear is the star: its pulp is slowly cooked into a sapa (syrup) for sweets and turned into a local liqueur, su licore de figu morisca. The table is completed by local farm produce, cheeses and meats first of all.

Festivals and traditions

• Sant'Antonio abate, in January, with the big bonfire su fogulone.
• San Pietro, in late June: a procession to the sanctuary and the ardia, a horse race on a steep course around the church, where riders try to overtake the bearer of the saint's banner, sa bandela mazzore.
• Prickly pear festival, in September.
• Dualchi Produce, in November, celebrating local products.

Nearby

• Noragugume and nuraghe Tolinu.
• Sedilo, about 6 km away, with the San Costantino sanctuary and its famous July Ardia.
• Silanus and the church of Santa Sabina beside the nuraghe of the same name.
• Nuraghe Losa in Abbasanta.
• Lake Omodeo.

Getting there and when to go

Dualchi is close to the SS131 highway, between Macomer and Abbasanta. Cagliari-Elmas airport is about an hour and a half away; Olbia and Alghero about an hour and a half to two hours. Spring and autumn are best for walks; late June for the ardia and September for prickly pears.

FAQ

How long do you need for Dualchi?

Half a day for the village and nuraghe Ponte; add Sedilo or Noragugume for a full day.

When is the Dualchi ardia?

During the feast of San Pietro in late June, around the country sanctuary.