Handcrafts and design

Calangianus and cork: a story of Sardinian excellence

From bark stripping to industrial production, the story of a Gallura tradition that has made Sardinia Italy’s cork capital

1 minute

The art of cork processing: from bark stripping to the finished product

The Cork Museum and the main production centres

In the heart of Gallura, Calangianus became one of the most industrialised centres in Italy in the 20th century thanks to a natural resource that has always characterised the area: cork. The processing of cork in Sardinia, officially started in 1851, profoundly transformed the local economy, giving rise to workshops and companies that offered work to hundreds of people, including from neighbouring villages. The famous cork stopper, a symbol of Gallura's production excellence, was successfully presented at the International Exhibition in Milan, consecrating Calangianus as the Italian capital of the sector.

The tradition of Sardinian cork originates from "decortica", the ancient practice of extracting the bark from the cork oak, performed with great skill and respect for the natural cycles of the plant. From this versatile raw material, not only do bottle caps take shape, but also shoes, bags, furnishing panels, thermal insulators, fashion accessories and design objects, and even unusual items such as baseballs. Over time, the cork supply chain in Gallura has become a sustainable economic model, capable of enhancing a renewable resource emblematic of local identity, making Calangianus one of the main cork production centres in Italy.

L’ex convento dei Cappuccini che oggi ospita il Museo del sughero

This extraordinary industrial and artisanal history is told by the Cork Museum, housed in the former Capuchin convent. The museum tour guides visitors through all stages of production, with vintage machinery, historical films, photographs and original tools such as lathes and workbenches. Among the curiosities is a nativity scene made entirely of cork, a testament to local creativity. In addition to Calangianus, cork processing involves other centres in Gallura, helping to keep alive a tradition that combines craftsmanship, industry and culture, also celebrated every year by the historic Cork Fair, established in 1978.