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Ogliastra - Province
The province of Ogliastra is located in central east Sardinia, facing south and east of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and bordering to the north-west with the province of Nuoro and south-west with the province of Cagliari.
It is a province recently established following a regional law of 2001 which provided for a new division of the Sardinian territory, bringing the number of provinces from four to eight.
The province covers 1854 square kilometres (or 6.2% of the Sardinian territory) and has 23 municipalities, including Lanusei and Tortolì; the two Lakes Flumendosa and part of the Gennargentu massif are also part of the province's territory.
The name apparently derives from the Olivastri (oleasters, or wild olive trees) which the land is rich in, although others ascribe its origin to the huge monolith overlooking the sea on the coast of Baunei and named Agugliastra (or Pedra Longa).
Ogliastra is the least populated province of Italy: for this reason, it offers unspoilt nature and a great variety of wonderful landscapes which range from the coast, nestled between the sea and rocks, hills, up to the Gennargentu mountains.
In the heart of Tortolì, there are some eighteen and nineteenth-century buildings, like the Palazzo Vescovile and the cathedral of Sant’Andrea, in baroque style. Also interesting is the “Su Logu de S’Iscultura” Museum of Contemporary Art, with works by Italian and international artists exhibited outdoors, integrated with the urban and natural surroundings.
In Lanusei, which stretches along the ridge of a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, are worth mentioning the cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena, dating back to the early twentieth century, the church of S. Giovanni Bosco and the Ogliastra Diocesan Museum, which exhibits medieval liturgical objects and written documents, along with some archaeological finds.
In the hills west of Lanusei there is the Seleni municipal park, a lush forest of holm oak trees and a rich fauna consisting of wild boars, foxes, buzzards and other birds of prey.
Seui is an old mining village linked to the exploitation of anthracite deposits. The old coal washery, located 3 kilometres from the village, is still visible and is an interesting example of industrial archaeology. But the real beauty of Seui is its old town, where nineteenth-century buildings stand beside numerous examples of local architecture in stone. Among the monuments in Seui : Casa Farci, the Spanish Baronial Prison, the Galleria Civica, Casa Caredda Loy, the churches of San Giovanni and Santa Maria Maddalena. A short distance from the town there are the Is Janas caves, also known as "cave of the fairies" due to the presence of three large stalagmites that according to legend, are three petrified fairies. The caves are open to the public for guided tours.
As for the province of Ogliastra, one cannot omit to mention the beautiful coastline, nestled between sea and rock. To the north, there are coves accessible only by boat or on foot, like Cala Luna, Cala Sisine, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzé. Further south we find wonderful beaches, like in Tancau, Orrì, Cea, Marina di Barisardo and Cardedu, Coccorrocci and the Gulf of Sarrala.
In the Province of Ogliastra there are also numerous archaeological sites (over 200) dating back to pre-nuraghic and nuraghic populations, like menhirs (monoliths and megaliths), Domus de Janas (tombs carved into the rock), nuraghi (stone towers), tombs of the Giants (funerary monuments consisting of collective tombs), wells and sacred sources.
The variety of landscapes and nature largely unspoilt make the province of Ogliastra an ideal place for excursions on foot, by bicycle or riding a horse. It is possible to walk from the mountains to the sea, following the course of subterranean rivers between centuries old woods, wildflowers and wildlife, and reach coves of outstanding beauty. Particularly interesting from this point of view is the territory of Baunei, with its karst valleys and the plateau of Golgo where is located the deepest gorge in Europe, called Su Sterru.
In the province of Ogliastra is also possible to take part in excursions enjoying rides aboard the characteristic "green train", a service sponsored by Sardinia's Railway that takes tourists right through the heart of the island to visit some of its most beautiful places, often inaccessible and so hidden that one can only reach them on foot and with great difficulty. Speaking of "original" means of transport, one can also organize quad bike excursions and follow routes that vary in length and difficulty, through forests, canyons, streams and valleys, in pristine habitat where there are also many animal species, such as eagles and mouflons.
Interesting caves are the grotta del Fico, the grotta Su Marmuri and the grotta Su Meraculu. Free climbing is possible between pinnacles and cliffs rising perpendicularly from the sea and breathtaking scenery. Sea lovers can enjoy excursions by motorboat or rubber dinghy, as well as exciting diving.
The cuisine of the province of Ogliastra has strong Mediterranean flavours, not particularly elaborate, but genuine and tasty.
Traditional gastronomy is based on products that come directly from the territory: typical appetizers are ham from Talana, Villagrande or Urzulei, but also sausage and bacon, and also the cheeses, such as classic pecorino or su casu axedu, a fresh cheese with an acidic taste made from sheep or goat milk. All this is accompanied by a variety of bread, including pistoccu, made of semolina and flour, and su modditzosu, a very soft bread with a sweet taste, prepared with durum wheat semolina, fresh ricotta cheese or mashed potatoes. Among the first courses: culurgiones, (ravioli with ricotta and pecorino) and malloreddus (Sardinian dumplings), usually prepared with pork sausage. Among the main courses, one can enjoy roast suckling pig, roast lamb, goat or sheep.
Many desserts, including pabassinas and ammarettos (sweets made with almonds, raisins and vino cotto), gattou (a crunchy sweet made with almonds and caramel sauce) and pardulas (made with cream cheese and flavoured with grated orange or lemon).
Finally, the wine: the most popular is undoubtedly the red Cannonau, the most representative DOC wine of the island, reknown and marketed throughout the world.
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