Austis
Austis: the municipality in the heart of Sardinia
Austis is a municipality in the province of Nuoro, located almost in the center of Sardinia. Its name derives from the Latin toponym Augustis or Forum Augusti, as a reminder of the Roman settlement of the Roman Empire. The territory of Austis has been inhabited since ancient times and is rich in archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age, thanks to the presence of the Nuragic civilization.
The history of Austis
The Nurensi or Celsitani tribe of Gennargentu probably inhabited Austis as early as the 2nd century AD, when it was in command of the Roman Imperial Army. The city was born as a "stazzo", a place for stopping during the Roman-Augustan era along the road that led from Cagliari to Olbia passing through Forum Traiani, now Fordongianus. It was a Roman military station against the independent barbarian raids that Rome never managed to fully subdue.
During the Middle Ages, Austis belonged to the Giudicato di Arborea and was part of the curatoria of Parte Barigadu. In 1407, the Curatoria of Austis was led by the municipalities of Teti and Tiana. At the fall of the giudicato, it passed under the Aragonese domination and was incorporated into the Signoria of Austis, feud of the Amat family. From 1607 to 1807, Austis was part of the prefecture of Sorgono. In 1839, with the suppression of the feudal system, the town became a municipality governed by a mayor and a council.
In 1845, Austis passed to the prefecture of Busachi and since 1960 has been part of the XII mountain community. Over the years, however, the town has suffered a strong emigration to Tuscany and other European countries, causing depopulation that has led to only 816 inhabitants in 2017.
Symbols of the municipality
The coat of arms and the flag of the municipality of Austis were granted by decree of the President of the Republic in 2012. The flag is a yellow drape.
Society in Austis
The demographic evolution of Austis over the years has seen a significant decrease in population, mainly due to emigration. The variant of the Sardinian language spoken in Austis is that of the Limba de mesania.
Administration of Austis
The administration of Austis is composed of the mayor and the municipal council. The municipality is constantly committed to the well-being of the local community and the conservation of cultural and environmental heritage.
In conclusion, Austis is a municipality rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, despite its recent depopulation. The inhabitants of Austis continue to preserve the memory of their land and to fight for its growth and development in respect of its roots.
