Mamoiada
Mamoiada: a journey into the heart of Barbagia di Ollolai
If you are looking for a place to immerse yourself in nature and history in Sardinia, Mamoiada is the perfect place for you. This small town of 2365 residents, located at 644 meters above sea level in the province of Nuoro, is nestled in the Barbagia di Ollolai, an area rich in natural resources that has attracted human settlements since Neolithic times.
The beauty of the territory
Mamoiada is located in an area where numerous waterways flow through land largely used for cultivation or grazing. The presence of these environmental resources has left significant archaeological and anthropological traces such as votive stones, nuraghes, menhirs and dolmens. Among the most beautiful evidence is Sa Perda Pintà, or "the painted stone," a 270 cm high slab decorated with concentric circles and cup marks, reminiscent of the slabs found in the Celtic area.
But the most representative element of Mamoiada are its churches. The church of Loreto, with its dome rich with frescoes, was probably built around 1600. The sanctuary of Saints Cosmas and Damian, on the other hand, is located 5 km from the town on the Marghine plateau surrounded by fifty little houses for pilgrims (''umbissìas'').
The history of Mamoiada
Mamoiada has a long history dating back to the pre-Nuragic period up to Roman times. Given its strategic location along the "Ulbiam-Caralis" road, it was affected by a Roman military presence. In the Middle Ages, it belonged to the Judicate of Arborea and was part of the Barbagia di Ollolai curatory, while ecclesiastically it belonged to the diocese of Santa Giusta.
At the fall of the Judicate (1420) it passed under the domination of the Marchesato of Oristano, then under the Aragonese domination (1478), and subsequently under the Duchy of Mandas in 1604. After belonging to the Maza family, the municipality was then redeemed in 1839 by the Tellez-Giron of Alcantara with the suppression of the feudal system desired by Casa Savoia.
The symbols of Mamoiada
The coat of arms and flag of Mamoiada were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on October 4, 2001. The coat of arms is divided into four parts, representative of Mamoiada's history and geography. The first section depicts Sa Perda Pintà, a symbol of the ancient Celtic presence in the area, the second the nuraghe, the third the church of Loreto and the fourth a wild boar, the animal symbol of Barbagia.
Conclusion
Mamoiada is a place to be discovered, where nature and history merge into a unique experience. From forests to waterfalls, from churches to nuraghes, to local traditions such as the Carnival festivities and the famous Mamuthones mask, Mamoiada will leave you speechless. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this town in the Barbagia di Ollolai, which will make you fall in love with Sardinia.
