Galtellì, the cobbled village overlooking the Gulf of Orosei

Galtellì, a historic village in Sardinia, is dominated by the bronze statue of Christ by Pedro Angel Terror Manrique, which watches over the village from the top of Mount Tuttavista, offering spectacular views of the Gulf of Orosei. The cobbled streets, traditional houses and historic buildings give the village a unique charm, while its proximity to the beaches of Orosei and Cala Gonone makes it a popular tourist destination throughout the year.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, Galtellì was an important Roman settlement and bishopric during the Giudicato of Gallura, considered a golden age for the village. It later came under the control of the Judicess Eleonora, entering the Giudicato of Arborea, and in 1323 under Aragonese rule. The diocese of Galtellì was merged with that of Cagliari in 1495, while in 1808 the village obtained the status of a free commune, consolidating its autonomy and historical importance in the region.

What to see in Galtellì

Galtellì is a village rich in history, art and culture, also known for its connection to the Nobel Prize-winning writer Grazia Deledda and her famous novel Canne al vento (Reeds in the Wind), set in the streets of the village. The Literary Park allows visitors to explore the places described in the novel and the main attractions of the village, including the Romanesque Cathedral of San Pietro (9th century) and the recently restored Castle of Pontes (1070).

The historical and religious heritage is evident in the numerous churches, such as the Church of the Holy Cross (1500) with a wooden statue of Christ from 1300, the Church of Santa Croce (16th century) and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven (17th century), near the remains of the Convent of the Mercedarian Friars (1611). Peasant and pastoral life is recounted in the Sa Domo 'e sos Marras Ethnographic Museum, which houses historical artefacts, demonstrations of traditional crafts, folk groups and tastings of local products. The town also features the Malicas Municipal Park with the Guzzetti Castle, built in the early 1900s.

Historical gastronomy in Galtellì

The traditional cuisine of Galtellì has its roots in history and is distinguished by local products, including carasau bread, which is still prepared today according to ancient recipes. The dough, made from flour, water, yeast and salt, is kneaded for a long time and transformed into thin sheets, which are left to rise for at least three hours. It is baked in a wood-fired oven using cistus and mastic wood, which allows the sheets to rise and be cut lengthwise to obtain two identical sheets of bread. Thanks to its long shelf life, carasau bread was the typical meal of shepherds during transhumance, often accompanied by local cheese, a symbol of the gastronomic tradition of Galtellì and rural life.

foto credits Hibiscus81