Territory Guide

Guide to Barbagia

Events, products, traditions and curiosities of the area

calendar_todayUpdated: 27 March 2026·location_onBarbagia, Sardegna
1

Introduction

Barbagia is the ancestral heart of Sardegna, a land of mamuthones, roasted porceddu and pane carasau.

The area boasts 3 protected-designation products and 4 dishes of the local tradition and 2 UNESCO heritage sites.

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Upcoming Events & Festivals

Here are the upcoming events in Barbagia:

See all events in Barbagiaarrow_forward

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Recurring Events

These events take place every year in Barbagia:

Carnevale di Mamoiada

Gennaio-Febbraio

Mamoiada

Sfilata dei Mamuthones e Issohadores, maschere ancestrali.

Autunno in Barbagia (Cortes Apertas)

Settembre-Dicembre

Vari borghi · Dal 1996

Porte aperte nei borghi con degustazioni e artigianato.

Sagra del Redentore

Agosto

Nuoro

La più grande festa folkloristica della Sardegna con costumi tradizionali.

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PDO, PGI and local products

The protected-designation products of Barbagia represent the excellence of the area:

5

What to eat in Barbagia

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Traditions & Culture

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Mamuthones e IssohadoresGennaio-Febbraio

Ancestral masks of the Mamoiada Carnival, among the oldest in the Mediterranean.

celebration
Cortes Apertas (Autunno in Barbagia)Settembre-Dicembre

Open doors in Barbagia villages with tastings and traditional crafts.

celebration
Canto a Tenore

Pastoral polyphonic singing from Barbagia, UNESCO intangible heritage.

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UNESCO Heritage

starsCanto a Tenore2005

Pastoral polyphonic singing from central Sardinia, UNESCO heritage.

starsSu Nuraxi di Barumini1997

The largest and best-preserved nuragic complex in Sardinia.

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Nature Parks & Protected Areas

park
Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del GennargentuParco Nazionale

Mountainous area featuring Sardinia's highest peak (Punta La Marmora, 1834 m) and the coves of the Golfo di Orosei.

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Historical Figures

person
Grazia DeleddaWriter

Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1926, she was born in Nuoro and depicted Barbagia in her novels.

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Local Communities

The festivals and events in Barbagia are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:

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Curiosities

1

The Mamuthones of Mamoiada wear 30 kg of bells on their backs and black wooden masks that are ancestors of European carnivals.

2

Grazia Deledda of Nuoro was the first Italian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1926).

3

Sardinian Cannonau could be the oldest grape variety in the Mediterranean, with remains dating back 3200 years.

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Barbagia owes its name to the Romans, who called this undomitable land "Barbaria" because they never managed to conquer it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1What DOP and IGP products can be found in Barbagia?expand_more

In Barbagia you'll find 3 protected designation products, including: Fiore Sardo (DOP), Pane Carasau (PAT), Cannonau di Sardegna (DOC).

2What should I eat in Barbagia?expand_more

Typical Barbagia dishes include: Pane frattau, Culurgiones di Ogliastra, Su porcheddu, and Seadas. Each dish tells the story of the territory's gastronomic tradition.

3What UNESCO heritage sites are in Barbagia?expand_more

Barbagia is home to 2 UNESCO heritage sites: Canto a Tenore (Intangible Heritage, 2005); Su Nuraxi di Barumini (Cultural Heritage, 1997).

4What are the most famous festivals in Barbagia?expand_more

Among the most important festivals and events in Barbagia are: Carnevale di Mamoiada (Mamoiada, January-February); Autunno in Barbagia (Cortes Apertas) (Various villages, September-December); Sagra del Redentore (Nuoro, August).

5What natural parks are in Barbagia?expand_more

Protected natural areas in Barbagia include: Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu (National Park).

6Who organizes the festivals in Barbagia?expand_more

Festivals in Barbagia are organized by local communities such as the Associazione Mamuthones e Issohadores and Pro Loco Nuoro. These Pro Loco organizations and associations are the guardians of the territory's gastronomic traditions.