Nuoro

“The heart of Sardinia, it is Sardinia itself with all its manifestations”

As the Nobel Prize writer Grazia Deledda defined Nuoro

Located in the historic region of Barbagia, Nuoro has something special in its history, a flavor of ancient and deep traditions. At the foot of the valleys of Monte Ortobene, has known several dominations by the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and Spaniards who left an important heritage.

The numerous Nuraghi and Domus de Janas scattered throughout the area recall the ancient history of Nuoro.

Discovering Nuoro: the center of Sardinia

Among fine architecture and evocative views, you can walk through the streets of Nuoro, where life flows with its calm rhythms.

Take the time to visit some of the most important museums such as the Ethnographic, the Speleo-Archaeological, the Man Art Museum. One of the most important things to see in Nuoro is the Grazia Deledda Home-Museum where objects and relics that belonged to the Sardinian writer.

For those who love unspoiled nature, the city offers long walks in the beautiful pine forest of the Sant’Onofrio Park, the pine forest of Ugolio or along the paths of Monte Ortobene.

Best Things to see in Nuoro

Let’s start our trip with the Grazia Deledda home-museum where the Sardinian writer – Nobel Prize for literature awarded in 1926 – lived part of her life.

Continuing beyond Piazza San Giovanni you reach Piazza Santa Maria della Neve, where the nineteenth-century Cathedral is located, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Neve.

The oldest districts San Pietro and Seuna give you an interesting view of Nuoro and from which the most recent part develops

Take a stroll around Piazza Sebastiano Satta, the symbol of the city, where its inhabitants relax and meet to chat among the many cafes. Here you can admire the works, in stone and bronze, by the sculptor Nivola.

Along Corso Garibaldi there are several artisan shops specializing in wood carving, weaving and goldsmithing in perforated gold foil.

The 1600 church of the Madonna delle Grazie called The Ancient Church, evokes the Gothic style in the magnificent ornaments. Visit this church together with the small church of Valverde and the church of San Bartolomeo, very interesting too.

To understand contemporary culture with exhibitions of both Sardinian and international artists visit the Art Museum of the province of Nuoro.

The Speleo-Archaeological Museum exibit numerous archaeological finds from different periods, including the only menhir statues found on the island.

To fully understand the history of Nuoro visit the Museum of Sardinian life and folk traditions on the Colle di Sant’Onofrio. Here, you can have a look at ceramics, tools, musical instruments, traditional costumes and fabrics.

Also worth seeing is the small church of Nostra Signora della Solitudine, with simple shapes where the writer Grazia Deledda is buried,

TOP 6 places of Nuoro

• Piazza Sebastiano Satta, built in honor of the poet and where you can visit the old house where the poet has lived.

• Piazza Santa Maria della Neve: where the imposing neoclassical building of the Duomo stands. Pay particular attention to the high altar and to the imposing painting of the deposition of Chris, a work attributed to Tiarini.

• Speleo-Archaeological Civic Museum: which collects materials recovered from the Nuorese Grotte Group over the course of several decades.

• Sardinian Life and Popular Traditions Museum: visit the traditional clothes of the main Sardinia, jewels, furnishings and ancient tools.

• Church of the Madonna delle Grazie: one of the most important religious buildings in Nuoro built at the end of the 17th century, overlooking the Seuna district. The figures of beasts and flowers embellish the doorposts and capitals that recall the Catalan Gothic motifs.

• Grazia Deledda Museum: the city’s flagship, set in a truly poetic context. The museum is dedicated to the great Sardinian writer, Nobel Prize for literature in 1926. You can admire the environments in which the writer was inspired in her youth and consult the various documents concerning his production and biography. The visit winds through the three levels of the house, marked by a central staircase, continuing into the courtyard and garden.

The surroundings of Nuoro

Among the many trekking and hiking trails to do in the surroundings of Nuoro, do not miss the one to Monte Ortobene, 8 km away. On the summit, at 955 meters above sea level, a statue of Christ the Redeemer, built in 190. to which the famous Feast of the Redeemer is dedicated at the end of August.

In the village of Oliena you can see the female costume considered among the richest in Sardinia.This lovely pastoral imprint village located on the slopes of the Supramonte at 12 km away from Nuoro.

Orgosolo, 20 km in the woods of the Supramonte, is a village with ancient pastoral traditions. Famous for its murals that represent the Sardinian life and culture.

The most famous beaches of Nuoro are those of the Gulf of Orosei: Cala Luna, the Piscine di Venere, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè

Among the villages to visit a few kilometers away: Dorgali, Mamoiada, Orani and Orune.

When is the best time to visit Nuoro

During the winter the climate is rather humid with frequent rains. In the months of January and February, when the temperatures drop below zero, snowfalls may occur which become abundant in the Bruncuspina area. Here there is also an equipped ski facility.

Spring, summer and autumn are the best times to discover Nuoro and its wild and rugged territory

Events in Nuoro

Among the best things to see in Nuoro, do not miss the Feast of Christ the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore). It takes place in the last week of August. An evocative procession in traditional costumes, from all over Sardinia, which, moving on foot, reaches the summit of Mount Ortobene. This festival is one of the most important events in Sardinia.

The Typical Food of Nuoro

There is another aspect to consider when it comes to a visit to Nuoro, its cuisine. Simple and tasty products, meat-based dishes prevail in addition to first courses, fresh pasta, cheeses and desserts.

This is the area of ​​excellent cheeses: pecorino, fresh or mature, Su casizzolu (caciocavallo), ricotta and Sa frue (fresh curdled milk). But also cured meats such as sausage and various types of bacon, coppa, pork loin. Sa purpuzza, a special dish, pork minced and seasoned with herbs, cooked in a pan instead of stuffed into sausages.

To accompany it all the typical carasau bread which toasted and sprinkled with oil and salt, takes the name of pane guttiau.

Among the Pasta dishes try the typical sos maccarrones cravaos, the Nuorese version of Sardinian gnocchi. Sos macarrones de busa, large bucatini. Sos maccarrones furriaos, small dumplings topped with fresh pecorino cheese, melted with semolina to form a sort of cream. But also the barbaricini ravioli in two versions: stuffed with fresh cheese or with ricotta and spinach, dressed with tomato or ragù and pecorino.

Meat is the typical dish in this area of Sardinia: the porceddu (suckling pig) on the spit, but also roast lamb, kid and veal.

Speaking about sweets, Sa sebada: filled with fresh cheese flavored with lemon, deep-fried and covered with honey. Other typical sweets: sas casadinas, small pasta cakes filled with fresh cheese or ricotta. S’aranzada, prepared with candied orange peel, honey and toasted almond flakes.

Activities to do in Nuoro and surroundings

Pristine nature, perfect places for walks, small towns full of identity to explore. Book your tour of Nuoro and the Barbagia with our suggested unique activities. Best things to see in Nuoro.

Where to stay in Nuoro

Search the map for the best accommodations in Nuoro. Updated prices.

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