Nuorese Cultural District
Orotelli
Description
Orotelli is a fascinating town rich in history, culture and tradition that sits on sa Serra, a granite plateau with a nature park filled with prehistoric sites.
The village has ancient roots stretching back to the nuraghic period, as attested by archaeological finds like the nuragh of Càlone, which stands on the hill at the entrance to the town.
The Aeddos nuragh, dating to the Bronze Age, is a mammoth monument made entirely of blocks of granite. Although millennia have passed, it remains intact and still stands at its original height.
Orotelli is known for its rich heritage of religious architecture. The church of San Giovanni Battista, built around 1116, is one of its most important buildings. Originally Romanesque in style, it has been altered over the centuries. Besides a fourteenth-century bell tower, two aisles were added in the 1960s. Outside, the restored portal, topped with a round arch, is an eloquent entrance to the church.
The town’s other important churches include San Lussorio and Santissimo Salvatore. It also boasts various country churches, like San Pietro di Oddini and Nostra Signora di Sinne, which are local landmarks and attest to the village’s religious history.
Among Orotelli’s special events, don’t miss the festival of St Anthony Abbot on 16 January, which includes a bonfire called Su vocu e Sant'Antoni and traditional dance. The Su carrasecare Carnival celebration is also of special importance, with a parade of local Carnival characters like Sos Thurpos, thurpeddos and Eritajos.
Coming soon: the Salvatore Cambosu house museum, a multimedia project that brings to life the characters and locations in Salvatore Cambosu’s novels through sound, images and installations.
