Discover Ballao

In Ballao, different travel interests converge: Funtana Coberta is a Nuragic sacred well, the Flumendosa is part of the river landscape, Miniera Corti Rosas reflects the history of mining, and the festivals preserve religious traditions. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ballao, a specific reason for your trip can guide your decision: are you particularly interested in archaeological sites, landscapes, industrial history or a festival?

The river and an ancient place of worship

The Flumendosa flows through the Ballao area along a stretch of about 9 km. Between Goni and Ballao, the Flumendosa forms deep pools rich in fish, which are part of Ballao’s river culture.

Funtana Coberta is a Nuragic sacred well associated with the water cult. The site was already in use during the Middle Bronze Age, from 1800 to 1350 BC; it is believed to have been built during the Late Bronze Age, from 1350 to 1150 BC. The dates for use and presumed construction are therefore different: the site was used in an earlier period than the one in which it is believed to have been built. Its association with the water cult and its dating offer two ways to explore this archaeological site.

Industrial history and architecture

Miniera Corti Rosas is a former antimony mine and part of Sardinia’s Geomining, Historical and Environmental Park, recognized by UNESCO. Its surviving remains include a processing plant, a flotation plant and a building that housed the electric generator. Buildings from the former accommodation facilities and residential buildings also remain. These remains include both technical facilities and buildings connected with residential use.

From Ballao, you can reach the mine via the road to Escalaplano. Shortly after the bridge over the Flumendosa, there is a turnoff. This route description links the way in with two specific landmarks: the road to Escalaplano and the river bridge.

The Centro Do.S.A. is housed in a courtyard house built at the end of the 19th century. This brings a much more recent period of construction into the picture alongside the Bronze Age sacred well and the remains of the former mine. The courtyard house is notable for its late-19th-century construction, while Funtana Coberta is distinguished by its earlier use and presumed later construction. This comparison brings Ballao’s different historical layers into focus.

Festivals on different dates

The Festa di Santa Maria Nuraxi, also known as Santa Maria Cleofe, is celebrated in Ballao on Easter Monday. It includes a religious procession to a Byzantine rural church. The chapel lies about 4 km from the town centre, in the mountains on the border with the municipality of Silius. The festival also includes a communal lunch, as well as traditional singing and dancing. Since Easter Monday changes with the date of Easter, be sure to check the specific date for the year you plan to travel.

Su Fogadoni is celebrated on January 16 in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot, with a large bonfire. The celebration includes singing and dancing, red wine, boiled fava beans and traditional sweets. The difference between the festivals matters when planning your dates: Santa Maria Nuraxi falls on Easter Monday, while Su Fogadoni takes place on a fixed date in January. If a festival is the reason for your trip, you can plan around its calendar date.

Discover more destinations: Capitana, Notteri, Monserrato, Mandas, Nurallao, Tratalias, Villasimius, Capoterra.

For the main travel overview: Cagliari.