AUTUNNO IN BARBAGIA 2024 - OVODDA
The uninterrupted passage of the peoples who crossed the territory of Ovodda has left behind many stories to tell: such as that of the via oviante, the transhumance route along which the flocks moved from the mountains to the plains, or that of the Roman road that passed through the Barbagie along the western side of Gennargentu.
The numerous domus de Janas and the surviving menhirs near the Aratu river testify to the presence of the native civilizations that inhabited the area in prehistory. 4 giants' tombs and around 10 nuraghi date back to the Bronze Age, symbolic buildings of the ancient Sardinian civilisation.
Ovodda is known as the town of centenarians who have been able to preserve their centuries-old traditions, the most famous of which is that of "su Mercuris de lessia" ("Ash Wednesday"). Unlike the rest of the island where the carnival celebrations end on the so-called Shrove Tuesday, the culmination of the Ovodda carnival takes place on the first day of Lent. In this celebration of transgression, "sos Intintos" wander through the streets of the center, men with their faces covered in soot, and the "Intinghidores" who, with black powder, dirty the faces of everyone they meet along the way. The masks carry around Don Conte Forru, symbol of religious and political powers, who is mocked and at sunset he is executed and set on fire.
Narrow cobblestone streets intersect in the beautiful historic center characterized by typical granite houses with internal courtyards. Traditional homes were built with one or two floors: on the ground floor there was the kitchen with, in the centre, the classic hearth used both for heating and cooking. The bedroom was located next to the kitchen or on the upper floor made with wooden beams which was accessed via a wooden staircase.
The oldest buildings are concentrated around the so-called "domo de sos cavalleris" ("house of the knights"), an elegant eighteenth-century residence which preserves a lovely well in the private courtyard. Nearby is the church of San Giorgio Martire which has been known since the Middle Ages. The current structure was built in the 17th century in late Gothic style to which the granite bell tower was added in 1798. Inside it houses precious sacred furnishings and an interesting wooden statue of Saint Peter in the chair which dates back to the second half of the seventeenth century.
Among the most heartfelt festivals is the one that the people of Ovodda celebrate on 28 and 29 June in the country church of San Pietro, keeping the promise made to Leonardo Alagon. The building originally belonged to the Oleri villa, uninhabited due to the plague. In 1473, in the presence of the Marquis of Oristano, his territories were divided between Gavoi and Ovodda by signing the deed in the church which at the time appeared in ruins and which the two towns undertook to recover.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November in Ovodda.