Discover Lodine: Landscape and History

Lodine lies on the edge of a plateau at an altitude of 900 metres. Dense forests, natural granite formations, and springs characterize the surrounding area. Together with its archaeological sites, they give the town a character where landscape and cultural history stand side by side.

Plateau, Forests, and Lake Gusana

Holm oaks, downy oaks, and Mediterranean scrub grow in the forests around Lodine. They provide a habitat for Sardinian deer. The vegetation is therefore a defining part of the natural environment, alongside the granite formations and springs that complement the plateau landscape.

Lodine shares Lake Gusana with Gavoi. The reservoir lies between Mount Littederone and Nodu sos Arcos. Near Lodine, canoe trips and fishing are possible there. This body of water thus brings together the landscape and two different activities: a canoe trip or time spent fishing. If you include the lake in your travel plans, you can consider these options as part of your stay in Lodine.

Archaeology and Local History

Near Lodine’s piazza stands the single-tower Nuraghe de sas Trintas Battaglias, also known as Lodine. The archaeological area of Soroeni contains the remains of a nuraghe and a surrounding village. The village was inhabited from the Late Bronze Age through the Iron Age. Together, these two sites point to different aspects of Lodine’s archaeological history: a nuraghe near the piazza and a settlement occupied across several periods.

The necropolis of Uniai is also among the area’s archaeological sites. It comprises six of the eleven underground tombs in the Lodine area. The Church of San Giorgio, dating from the 16th century, offers a different historical perspective. Those interested in the town’s history can therefore find both prehistoric remains and a building from the early modern period.

Traditions, Art, and Local Cuisine

The ArteLodine art and music event has been held for twenty years. Through it, distinctive Serrandales and other high-quality works of art have come to the town. Art here is therefore not just a theme of the event, but is also present in the townscape. The Santuario della Madonna d'Itria is on the Pratobello plateau. The celebrations at the end of July include a novena and horse races.

Improvised poetry is a feature of Carnival in Lodine. Another local tradition can be found in the cuisine: a sausage seasoned with wild garlic, known locally as su gusazu. These customs and foods offer a glimpse of different expressions of local culture, from festivities to the name of a regional dish.

Views and Getting Your Bearings

A piazza laid out as a belvedere occupies the highest point in Lodine. From there, the view stretches across Lake Gusana, the Monti del Gennargentu, and the mountains of Oliena and Orgosolo, including Corrasi and S. Giovanni. You can also see large parts of the Lodine area, which is covered in downy oak forests. The viewpoint brings together several of the landscape features that define the town and its surroundings.

The T601 hiking trail starts in the centre of Lodine. If you plan to take it, check its maintenance condition before setting out.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: San Giovanni, Orotelli, Irgoli, Mamone, Cala Gonone, La Caletta, Onifai, Ottana

For the broader travel overview: Nuoro.