Gavoi, home of Sardinian pecorino cheese in the heart of Barbagia

Gavoi, a village located in the heart of Barbagia and surrounded by the Gennargentu mountains, is a place rich in history and tradition, inhabited since Neolithic times, as evidenced by the menhirs and domus de janas discovered in Sa Itria. The first written mention dates back to 1341, when the villa of Gavi appears in the Rationes Decimarum as part of the diocese of Santa Giusta.

During the judicial era, Gavoi was part of the Giudicato d'Arborea, with privileges and military duties for its inhabitants. In the following centuries, the village became part of the Marquisate of Oristano under the Cubello family, then passed to the Carroz family and finally to the Duchy of Mandas, maintaining feudal structures until 1838.

With the creation of the province of Nuoro, Gavoi became the capital of the district in 1821 and, after several administrative changes, was definitively included in the province of Nuoro in 1927, consolidating its historical and cultural role in Sardinia.

Attractions not to be missed in Gavoi

Gavoi, a village nestled in the wild heart of Sardinia, is surrounded by the Gennargentu mountains and lapped by waterways that enrich the territory with rare fauna and trees. With a population of around three thousand, the village stands at an altitude of almost 800 metres, surrounded by over three thousand hectares of holm oak, chestnut, holly, walnut and cherry woods.

The elegant granite houses offer breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, while visitors can savour local delicacies such as Fiore Sardo DOP pecorino cheese, bread and fresa and typical desserts, and discover the excellence of Gavoese craftsmanship. The village hosts the L'Isola delle Storie festival, a regionally renowned literary event, and the Casa Porcu Satta Museum, which preserves traditional clothing, musical instruments and ancient games.

Nearby are Lake Gusana, ideal for hiking and sport fishing, and archaeological sites such as nuraghi, domus de Janas and menhirs, evidence of a territory inhabited since prehistoric times.

Historical traditions of the village

In Gavoi, it is a must to taste the famous Fiore Sardo pecorino cheese, a symbol of the local gastronomic tradition. Among the most significant events are the religious festivals, which involve the entire community with vestments and illuminations decorating the streets. Of particular interest is the celebration held on the last Sunday in July at the Sanctuary of the Madonna d'Itria, during which the cumbessias, the typical huts for pilgrims, are reopened and inhabited for the entire period of the festivities, creating an atmosphere of devotion and collective participation that combines faith, tradition and community life.

photo credits Distretto Culturale del Nuorese