Thirty kilometers from Nuoro, a town in the 'heart' of Sardinia, famous for an ancient cathedral, carnival traditions, and dozens of prehistoric sites... #tuttitaly
Ottana is a small town located in the center of Sardinia, not far from Nuoro, on the left bank of the Tirso River, the largest watercourse on the island. The territory has existed since prehistoric times, and its ancient origins can be found in the traces of the Nuragic civilizations. Numerous finds exist from these settlements, including the Tombs of the Giants and the Domus de Janas.
The town center comprises narrow alleys and beautiful squares overlooked by traditional low houses.
A church of considerable interest is dedicated to the
patron saint, located not far from the historic center of the town: the Church of San Nicola, dating back to 1150. The church, in black and purple trachyte ashlars of severe Romanesque form, preserves a 14th-century altarpiece and a 16th-century crucifix.
Of considerable importance for visitors is the Carnival of Ottana: the most crucial event in the town, which seems to have its origins in Punic rites, and takes place on the streets of the city.
What makes the event exclusive are the typical masks of centuries-old tradition: the "Boes," who wear white sheepskin and wooden masks depicting cattle on their faces, and the "Merdules," the deformed masks that represent the man who is fatigued by I work in the fields. These entertain the public, highlighting the past and the cultural identity of the community that has its origins in the agro-pastoral world:
the masks describe the roles and countless situations of life in the fields, such as plowing, sowing, harvesting, and animal care.
On January 16, Sant'Antonio Abate is celebrated, the festival that announces the beginning of the Carnival. It is celebrated with wine and sweets and traditional liturgical songs in which the miraculous qualities of the saint are told to whom they are dedicated.
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