Atzara Village – A Jewel of Sardinia

An Italian municipality with 968 inhabitants in the province of Nuoro, Sardinia, Atzara is a place of traditions, art, natural landscapes, and delicacies, making it one of the six most beautiful villages in Sardinia.

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The History of Atzara – One of the Six Most Beautiful Villages in Sardinia

Located in the Mandrolisai region and inhabited since the Neolithic by some nuraghi, the village of Atzara emerged around the year 1000 near Bingia de Giosso and was divided into nine ancient districts, including Sa Cora Manna and Tzùri, characterized by old granite houses and buildings. It developed mainly during the medieval period, when it belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea, later came under Aragonese rule (1420), and eventually became part of the Valentino fiefdom (1711) until it was established as a municipality after the abolition of the feudal system in 1839.

Monuments and Places of Interest

Throughout its territory, Atzara presents itself as a village rich in places of interest for both locals and numerous tourists. First and foremost, there are many religious buildings such as the churches of Santa Maria de Giosso and Santa Maria de Susu, dedicated to the worship of Mary and testimonies of the ancient medieval village, the church of San Giorgio, and the church of Sant’Antioco Martire, built in the 15th century in Gothic-Aragonese and Romanesque style.

In addition to religious sites, Atzara is home to numerous archaeological sites, including the remains of domus de janas—prehistoric tombs carved into rock from the pre-Nuragic era—giants’ tombs from the Nuragic period, and several nuraghi, among which the Abbagadda nuraghe is the best preserved today.

Finally, the village is known for its numerous graphite and quartz mines and for its natural attractions, which, in addition to the particularly rich flora typical of the Barbagia region, also include a diverse fauna featuring wild boars, rabbits, foxes, hedgehogs, golden eagles, and Sardinian goshawks.

Curiosities About the Village of Atzara

Listed among the most beautiful villages in Sardinia, Atzara is also a place of art and tradition. This heritage is especially linked to painting, thanks to the presence of the Antonio Ortiz Echagüe Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, inaugurated in 2000 and housing works by Spanish and Sardinian painters including Vittorio Tolu. It is also tied to the traditional costumes worn in the village, characterized by the headpiece called “Tiaggiòla,” still worn today by many elderly women. Lastly, the village is renowned for its excellent wine production, accompanied by numerous ancient recipes such as Sa fregula istuffada and Su biradizu, and for its textile production, especially carpets made using the “a pibiones” technique.

How to Reach Atzara

The village of Atzara is easily accessible from other Sardinian towns by various means:

• Bus – 433, 438, 502, 504, 537, 9113
• Car – via state road 131 toward Olzai or provincial roads 84, SP15, SP31, SP76… and SP61 toward State Road 128 Centrale Sarda/Via Vittorio Emanuele/SS128 in Atzara
• Train – from anywhere in Sardinia
• Ferry – via the Livorno – Golfo Aranci route

Don’t miss one of the most beautiful villages in Sardinia!