Discover Ittiri: Archaeology, Churches and Textiles

In Ittiri, you can plan your trip around archaeological sites, religious buildings, textile culture and events. Each of these offers a different focus: the nuragic sites draw attention to the area’s history, churches reflect different architectural periods, and textiles are part of the local tradition. The landscape also provides some clear landmarks. If you are looking for a hotel in Ittiri, you can choose your destination based on what interests you most during your trip.

Archaeological Sites Around Ittiri

The nuragic archaeological complex in the Ittiri area includes 63 nuraghi, ten villages and two Giants’ Tombs. It probably also includes a sacred well. The variety of sites gives a sense of the complex’s scale without implying a specific order in which to visit them. An open-air archaeological park is located on the outskirts of Ittiri and is another clear landmark for anyone interested in the town’s past.

The Sa Figu archaeological area is four kilometres from Ittiri. It can be reached from the San Maurizio sanctuary by climbing to the summit; check local trail conditions before your visit. The complex includes eleven hypogea, a megalithic circle and the base of an archaic nuraghe. Here, underground structures, a megalithic circle and part of a nuraghe come together as distinct archaeological features.

A nuraghe on Monte Torru can be reached on foot via the mountain’s northern slopes. At Sa Figu, the described approach is the climb from the San Maurizio sanctuary; for the nuraghe on Monte Torru, the northern slopes are the main point of reference. Check local conditions before visiting either site. The walking time and level of difficulty are not specified.

Churches and Their Different Historical Periods

The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli was probably built over an existing Roman temple. Its façade was rebuilt in red trachyte in the Neoclassical style between 1881 and 1895. These are two separate historical references: the connection with the temple is explicitly uncertain, while the dates of the façade’s reconstruction are clearly stated.

Nostra Signora di Coros has a different historical focus. Its original construction dates back to the 13th century; the church features Romanesque and Gothic architecture that has been altered over time. The two churches therefore differ in their documented architectural references: San Pietro is associated with a possible Roman predecessor and its 19th-century façade, while Nostra Signora di Coros is associated with its medieval foundation and later-modified Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

San Pietro in Vincoli has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible parking. The accessibility information was last updated on 28 June 2024; check locally before your trip.

Textiles, Traditional Dress and Events

Ittiri is known for textiles, including rugs and traditional garments. Traditional men’s dress includes a head covering, a shirt, a waistcoat, ragas, trousers and uose. This list shows how many items make up the outfit and gives you specific terms related to the local textile tradition.

Prendas de Ittiri is a festival held in late March or early April and dedicated to local crafts and specialities. Check the event dates again before your trip. Ittiri has also hosted a biennial trachyte festival featuring sculpture competitions since 1994. The events differ both in frequency and focus: Prendas de Ittiri celebrates crafts and specialities, while the trachyte festival features sculpture competitions. You can plan your trip around each event’s particular theme without conflating the two.

Plateau, Peaks, Lakes and Valleys

Ittiri lies on a plateau at an elevation of 450 metres. The surrounding peaks include Monte Torru, which is 620 metres high. These two elevations put the plateau and the mountain in perspective: the summit of Monte Torru is 170 metres higher. The landscape described also includes the lakes of Bidighinzu, Cuga and Temo, as well as valleys characterised by olive groves and vineyards. Several different landscape features can help you find your bearings: the elevated setting, a named peak, lakes and agriculturally shaped valleys.

Discover more destinations: Bottidda, Nulvi, Maristella, Ploaghe, Bono, Padria, La Muddizza, Ozieri

For the broader travel overview: Sassari.