Nule
Welcome to Nule: Discovering Its Past and Present
Welcome to Nule, a municipality in the province of Sassari with a population of approximately 1,286 inhabitants, located in the far northwest of Sardinia. The town is situated on the plateau of Buddusò, at about 700 meters above sea level. Nule has a rich and fascinating history and offers many tourist attractions. In this text, we will take a closer look at the history of Nule, its symbols, its monuments and its folklore traditions, without forgetting to examine the economy and crafts of the area.
History of Nule
Nule has been inhabited since pre-Nuragic and Nuragic times, as evidenced by the tombs of the giants and nuraghes, including the Nuraghe Voes, the Nuraghe Serra Nurache, the Nuraghe Tulidda, the Nuraghe Arile, the Nuraghe su Nuragheddu, the Nuraghe Chirighina and the Nuraghe Istelai, just to name a few. The town then became part of the Giudicato di Torres in the Middle Ages and later passed under the control of the Giudicato di Arborea. In 1350, the entire area came under Aragonese dominion and in the eighteenth century became part of the duchy of Monte Acuto, a fief of the Spanish Tellez-Giron di Alcantara. In 1839, with the abolition of the feudal system, the town was redeemed.
Symbols of Nule
The President of the Republic granted the coat of arms and the flag to the municipality of Nule by decree on December 4, 1984. The coat of arms presents some significant features of the territory of Nule. The flag, on the other hand, is made up of a yellow drapery adorned with two vertical red bands.
Monuments and places of interest
Nule has a series of beautiful churches, dating back to various historical periods. One can admire the Church of the Nativity of Mary, the Church of the Assumption, the Church of Santa Croce, the Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Remedy, the Church of San Giovanni and the Church of San Pietro. Each church is a work of art in itself.
Among other sites of interest, the Monument to the Fallen on a stele stands out, with a bronze statue representing Victory, and some important archaeological sites, such as the Tombs of the Giants of Isporo 1 and 2, and the Dolmen of Santu Lisei, which preserves an important archaeological find like the Bronzetto di Nule.
Society of Nule
Nule has undergone a significant demographic decline, going from 3,277 inhabitants in the 1920s to the current 1,286 inhabitants. Nevertheless, it manages to preserve its folklore traditions, including the famous Festival of Saint Anthony of Padua, which is celebrated from May 30 to June 13. During this festival, the inhabitants of the town engage in the preparation of bread and cheese, which will then be distributed in honor of Saint Anthony.
Economy and Crafts of Nule
The economy of Nule is mainly based on agriculture and livestock farming. The cheese of Nule is famous throughout Sardinia, thanks to the quality of the milk and the traditional processing techniques.
Local craftsmanship also deserves a special mention. In particular, Sardinian carpets are a specialty of the town, handcrafted on a vertical loom by the women of the area. The Archaeological Museum of Nule is also an important place to learn about local crafts, with exhibitions of carpets, textiles, and wooden objects.
Conclusions
Nule is a small town in Sardinia with a truly interesting history and cultural heritage. By visiting it, one can admire the ancient churches, archaeological sites, and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Do not forget to taste the cheese and admire the skill of the local artisans in their work on Sardinian carpets. Come and discover this little gem of Sardinia and brush up on your historical knowledge.
