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April

OLIENA

Oliena is a very old centre, rich in history and traditions. The presence of man in this territory dates back to the Nuraghic Age. This is testified by the remains one will find both in the complex Sa Sedda e' Sos Carros and in the old villages of Su Gurrutthone, Ruinas and mount Tiscali: the latter is very peculiar because it is situated in a karst dolina. Moreover, the outskirts of the village boast various places of inestimable naturalistic interest, all of them particularly charming, characterized by the presence of rich and endemic flora and fauna.

Gennargentu, Supramonte, Pentumas, Gorroppus offer marvellous landscapes: a succession of rivers, gorges, canyons and caves, favourite destination for most demanding excursionists. There are numerous churches in the village (eleven exactly), very simple churches provided with a bell gable, among which the old thirteenth-century parish church of Saint Maria and the present parish church devoted to Sant'Ignazio of Loyola (first half of the XVIII century) stand out. Among the numerous performances taking place in Oliena, the Holy Week celebrations are the best ones, especially "S'Incontru", which is one of the most typical, suggestive and participated mystery play of the island. "S'Incontru" was introduced into Sardinia by the Spaniards: now, Sardinians are able to make it live again with unchanged expressive force. From early in the morning, the streets of Oliena are busy, full of people in their Sunday clothes and traditional costumes. Women show off rich silk costumes decorated with gold and silver threads, men wear a "berritta" (= a cap) and a short skirt made of coarse woollen fabric. At the appointed time, the simulacres of the risen Christ and that of Our Lady depart respectively from the two churches of St. Francis and Saint Mary, followed by a procession of believers.

Then the two separate processions meet at the church of Saint Mary, where, meanwhile, a big crowd had gathered, everybody waiting anxiously for the most suggestive and touching moment of the religious performance. Our Lady’s black mourning veil is taken off and the crowd exults cheerfully. Then, at the very moment when the Mother greets the risen Child, numerous people, leaning out of their windows, fire blanks. Finally, the procession walks to the church of Sant'Ignazio where the solemn sung mass, another important moment of the day, is celebrated. At last comes the “pagan” moment of the feast, with dancing and the tasting of wines and sweets typical of Oliena.

THE MUSEUM OF SAINT ANTIOCO
"ARCHEOTUR"

Situated on the island of the same name, the village of Sant'Antioco lies to the south-west of Sardinia. The small island is linked up to the major one through a narrow and partially natural isthmus. One can easily reach S. Antioco from the region of Sulcis-Iglesiente, which has a coastal outlet. It is the very geographical position of this small island that made up its own history all over the centuries. The oldest testimony dates back to the late Neolithic age (around 2700 B. C.), but there are also, on the isthmus, two menhirs, called “Su Para e sa Mongia”; the floor of a hut which was an ancient “long-stay hospital”. Today's inhabited area and the domus de janas (= fairy houses) of is Pruinis (small caves dug into the rock and used as a tomb) are an important testimony, too. These tombs consist of underground rooms (simple or double rooms) dug into the tuff, accessible through a staircase called “dromos” which is a kind of corridor under the open sky. Most funeral outfits consist of pottery, jewels, glass and masks, displayed in the city museum of via Regina Margherita. The end of the 3rd century B.C. marks the conclusion of the Punic domination in Sardinia, whereas the year 238 B. C. marks the beginning of the Roman rule in Sant'Antioco and in the other Phoenician and Punic centres. This period is testified by the the remains of a bridge, in the inhabited area; a noble mausoleum called “sa Presonedda”; the ruins of an amphitheater; part of the necropolis; part of the inhabited area; valuable remains of mosaics and imperial statues. The catacombs below the Cathedral of Sant'Antioco, made out of ancient Punic hypogea, are the most important testimony of Christian archaeology in Sardinia. In the museum, an important collection of agropastoral tools is displayed. There is also a most interesting show-room displaying the sea byssus and the palmet.