Barbagia
Encyclopedia
Barbagia is a mountain area of inner Sardinia
. It is mostly comprised in the province of Nuoro
and located alongside the Gennargentu
massif.
The name comes from Cicero
, who described it as a land of barbarians. This word derives from the Greek Βάρβαρος-ου, which means stuttering. The inhabitants were also known, by the ancient Romans
, with the pejorative term latrones mastrucati, which means "thieves with a rough garment in wool". Roman domination in this area of Sardinia was never more than nominal.
The area is usually divided into four Barbagias: the Barbagia di Ollolai
, the Barbagia di Seulo
, the Barbagia di Belvì and the Mandrolisai. The latter is named after a sub-region, and the others after their main villages.
The area is full of hard hills, and there is little human presence. In fact, Barbagia is one of the least populated areas in Europe. These facts have allowed Barbagia to preserve its cultural and natural treasures. The language spoken is logudorese
.
One of the most important towns is Gavoi
. Orgosolo
was famous for its bandits and kidnappers. Oliena
is well known for its wine
s (especially the Nepente, a wine made with Cannonau grapes). Another well known town is Fonni
, being the highest town in Sardinia, More than 1000 meters above sea level. Fonni is also the gateway to the Gennargentu mountain system
Economy: agriculture, sheep breeding, art and tradition related business, tourism and light industry.
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
. It is mostly comprised in the province of Nuoro
Province of Nuoro
The Province of Nuoro is a province in the autonomous island region of Sardinia, Italy. Its capital is the city of Nuoro.It has an area of 3,934 km², and a total population of 161,444. The province is divided into 52 comuni, the largest of which are Nuoro , Siniscola , Macomer , and Dorgali...
and located alongside the Gennargentu
Gennargentu
Gennargentu is a large massif in central-southern Sardinia, Italy, encompassing the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra. It includes the highest peaks in the island, such as Punta La Marmora , Monte Spada , Punta Erba Irdes , Bruncu Spina and Punta Paulinu .The range forms part of the Gennargentu...
massif.
The name comes from Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
, who described it as a land of barbarians. This word derives from the Greek Βάρβαρος-ου, which means stuttering. The inhabitants were also known, by the ancient Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, with the pejorative term latrones mastrucati, which means "thieves with a rough garment in wool". Roman domination in this area of Sardinia was never more than nominal.
The area is usually divided into four Barbagias: the Barbagia di Ollolai
Ollolai
Ollolai is a comune at the center of Barbagia, in the province of Nuoro .It is the main town of the Barbagia di Ollolai.-Notable people:*Michele Columbu, leader of Partito Sardo d'Azione...
, the Barbagia di Seulo
Barbagia di Seulo
The Barbagia di Seulo is a historical subregion of central-eastern Sardinia, Italy. It includes the communes of Seulo, Seui, Sadali, Esterzili and Ussassai....
, the Barbagia di Belvì and the Mandrolisai. The latter is named after a sub-region, and the others after their main villages.
The area is full of hard hills, and there is little human presence. In fact, Barbagia is one of the least populated areas in Europe. These facts have allowed Barbagia to preserve its cultural and natural treasures. The language spoken is logudorese
Sardo logudorese
Logudorese Sardinian is a standardised variety of Sardinian, often considered the most conservative of all Romance languages. Its ISO 639-3 code is src....
.
One of the most important towns is Gavoi
Gavoi
Gavoi is a comune in central Sardinia , part of the province of Nuoro, in the natural region of Barbagia. It overlooks the Lake of Gusana.-History:...
. Orgosolo
Orgosolo
Orgosolo is a comune located in the Province of Nuoro, in the Italian region Sardinia, at about 110 km north of Cagliari and about 13 km south of Nuoro....
was famous for its bandits and kidnappers. Oliena
Oliena
Oliena is a comune in the province of Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy. It is the birthplace of former Chelsea FC and Cagliari player, and former West Ham United manager, Gianfranco Zola....
is well known for its wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
s (especially the Nepente, a wine made with Cannonau grapes). Another well known town is Fonni
Fonni
Fonni is a town and comune in Sardinia, in the province of Nuoro .It is the highest town in Sardinia, and situated among fine scenery with some chestnut woods. Fonni is a winter sports centre with a ski lift to Monte Spada and Bruncu Spina....
, being the highest town in Sardinia, More than 1000 meters above sea level. Fonni is also the gateway to the Gennargentu mountain system
Economy: agriculture, sheep breeding, art and tradition related business, tourism and light industry.