Latest News

Badesi

The Historic Region of Gallura

Located at the northeastern tip of Sardinia, Gallura (Gallurese: Gaddùra, Sardinian: Caddùra) is bounded to the south by the granite massif of Monte Limbara, to the southwest by the lower course of the Coghinas River, and to the southeast by Monte Nieddu in the municipalities of San Teodoro and Budoni. In the early Middle Ages, it was one of the four Sardinian giudicati. The region’s primary economic resource is tourism—developed following the famous Costa Smeralda Consortium—alongside internationally recognized cork and granite industries.

The municipalities belonging to Gallura include Aggius, Aglientu, Arzachena, Badesi, Bortigiadas, Calangianus, Golfo Aranci, La Maddalena, Loiri Porto San Paolo, Luogosanto, Luras, Olbia, Palau, Sant’Antonio di Gallura, Santa Teresa Gallura, San Teodoro, Telti, Tempio Pausania, Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola, and Viddalba. The spoken language, Gallurese, is of Tuscan stock with strong Corsican analogies (closely resembling the dialect of the Sartène district in southern Corsica), while retaining influences from Logudorese Sardinian from the earlier giudicale period.

The Municipality of Badesi

Badesi (elevation 102 meters, population 1,825 as of December 31, 2021) is a coastal municipality in the west-central part of the Province of Sassari. Its economy is based on agriculture—particularly viticulture—alongside a growing summer tourism sector. The town slopes gently down a hill overlooking the underlying plain. Badesi is a member of the National Association of Wine Cities (Associazione Nazionale Città del Vino).

Origin of the Name

The etymology is unclear and likely of pre-Roman origin. According to some theories, the name derives from the Logudorese term Badu (ford), likely stemming from the inhabitants’ habit of fording the Coghinas River.

Economy

Badesi’s economy is predominantly agricultural, featuring the cultivation of cereals, wheat, vegetables, fodder, olives, citrus, and fruits—notably high-value crops like artichokes and tomatoes—as well as hill viticulture favored by sandy juniper-strewn dunes near the Coghinas River’s fertile alluvial plain. The area is famous for Vermentino wine. Livestock farming includes cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry. Industry is modestly developed in mining, dairy, construction, and furniture. With the development of the Badesi Mare coastal area, tourism has become the most important economic sector.

Historical Overview

Archaeological remains include three ancient nuraghi, though the scarcity of ancient monuments suggests the territory was lightly frequented in antiquity. In Roman times, it was crossed by a road linking Olbia to Porto Torres, evidenced by a 1928 discovery of a hoard of Roman denarii dating from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. During the Middle Ages, it was subjected to the curatoria of Gemini under various feudatories, including the lords of Arborea and Marquises of Gallura, and served as a diocesan seat until 1503.

The residential center is relatively recent, originating around the late 18th century when an individual named Antonio Stangoni built a hut (pinnetta) in the area known as Li Pinnetti di lu Riu. The small settlement formed part of Aggius until it was split off into an independent municipality in 1969.

Festivals and Traditions

• Carnival: Celebrated with the Sunday of the pentolaccia and the burning of the effigy.

• May or June: Memorial Magrini, an international-level shore-fishing surfcasting tournament held at Badesi Mare.

• June 19: Patronal festival dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacro Cuore di Gesù), celebrated with three days of folklore and entertainment.

• June to September: Estate Badesana, a schedule featuring musical concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events.

• Late July: Bozi in Coro, an annual choral review hosted by the Sacred Heart Polyphonic Choir.

• August 8: Gastronomic Festival, featuring tastings of typical Sardinian and Gallurese specialties.

• August 13: Summer Carnival featuring a float parade.

• August 29: Feast of Saint John the Baptist in the hamlet of La Tozza.

Exploring the Center of Badesi

• Town Hall (Municipio): Located on Via Risorgimento 15, housing municipal offices.

• Parish Church of the Sacred Heart (Chiesa del Sacro Cuore): A modern building constructed in 1959 along Via Nazionale, replacing an older late-19th-century church.

• Municipal Amphitheater, Cultural Center, and Library: Located off Via Giovanni Pascoli, hosting public events and recreational activities.

• Gianni Ugnutu Municipal Sports Ground: Features a football pitch with 500-seat stands, a tennis court, and a five-a-side pitch.

• Municipal Cemetery: Located just outside the town along the SP90.

Hamlets and Surrounding Areas

• Li Duni Winery: Located along the secondary road near the cemetery, producing foot-unaffected wines (a piede franco) on sandy soils. Its Cannonau di Sardegna Doc Nalboni 2020 and Vermentino di Sardegna Doc Spumante Extra Dry Millesimato li Junchi 2021 have been featured in Vinitaly’s 5StarWines guide.

• La Tozza: A hamlet located along the SP74 featuring the Church of Saint John the Baptist (built in 1975).

• Muntiggioni: A hamlet featuring the remains of the Nuraghe Muntiggioni (a simple, single-tower watchtower) and the Church of Saint Francis (built in 1995).

• Azzagulta: A neighboring hamlet leading toward Viddalba.

The Coastal Area and Beaches of Badesi

The coast of Badesi has been declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) due to the richness of its flora and fauna. It features an uninterrupted white sandy shoreline stretching for seven kilometers, running continuously into Valledoria to the south and Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola to the north.

• Lu Naragu Locality: Features scarce remains of the demolished Nuraghe Naragu, utilized during the construction of the SP90 in the 1960s.

• Nuraghe Auru Mannu: Minor remains of a nuragic structure located near the coastal road.

• Li Junchi Beach & Badesi Mare: The northern stretch of Badesi’s beach (also known as Li Mindi in some parts), backed by dunes and fragrant juniper-and-lentisk shrublands. It features comprehensive tourist services, barrier-free access, and has repeatedly earned the Blue Flag (Bandiera Blu) award from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

• Li Mindi & Lu Stangioni / Lu Poltu Biancu Beaches: Solitary, wilder stretches of coastline flanked by clear blue waters and sandy seabeds, offering free parking and recognized with the Blue Flag award.

• Pirotto li Frati & Baia delle Mimose: Southern extensions of the coastal stretch featuring fine white sand, shallow sandy seabeds, dunes, and fully serviced resort infrastructure.