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Bolotana

Bolotana is visited for its surroundings, which include the expansive park of Badde Salighes and the country church of Santa Maria ’e Sauccu. The visit to Bolotana completes the journey through the historical region of the Marghine.

The Historic Region of the Marghine

The Marghine takes its name from its mountain range, which is connected to the Goceano chain and gives birth to rivers like the Tirso. It is a large plateau formed by post-Miocene lava flows from the Montiferru volcanoes, featuring a varied landscape and an exceptional environmental heritage where rare species like the griffon vulture live.

The Municipality of Bolotana

The municipality of Bolotana (Sardinian: Bolòtane, elevation 472 meters above sea level, population 2,403 as of December 31, 2021) is an agricultural and pastoral center situated on a mid-hill along the Marghine mountain chain in the north-central part of the Province of Nuoro. Its population is distributed between the main settlement, minor urban aggregates like Su Bardosu and Ziu Zolo, the residential settlements of Badde Salighes and Santa Maria ’e Saccu, and a few scattered houses. The territory features an irregular geometric profile with steep altimetric variations reaching up to 1,200 meters. It is a member of the National Association of Olive Oil Cities (Associazione Nazionale Città dell’Olio).

Origin of the Name

Documented in 1342 as Bolonthenis and in 1388 as Golothana, its origin is likely pre-Roman. Interpretations range from Phoenician (Baal Tan, elm of Baal), Greek (Bolotomos, place of sods), to Bolòtane (referring to Marrubium vulgare, black horehound used for dyeing orbace black).

Economy & History

• Economy: Based on traditional agricultural activities and industry, including grain, olive, fruit cultivation, livestock, and a significant weaving sector for orbace and traditional Sardinian wool carpets.

• History: Originating in the medieval period as part of the Giudicato of Arborea, it later became part of the Marquessate of the Marghine under Spanish rule (States of Oliva). English engineer Benjamin Piercy played a major role in the local urban and economic development by building railways and establishing a modern agricultural estate and villa at Badde Salighes. It transferred to the Province of Nuoro in 1927.

Festivals and Traditions

• January: Festival of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

• May 8–10: Patronal Feast in honor of Saint Bachisio (San Bachisio), followed on May 11 by the Festival of Saint Isidore (Sant’Isidoro).

• August 15: Mountain Festival (Sagra della montagna).

Exploring the Center of Bolotana

• Palmerio Delitala Municipal Sports Ground: Located along Via Manigos, featuring a football pitch, five-a-side pitch, and other facilities.

• Municipal Cemetery: Located off Via San Bachisio, renovated in 2011 to include accessible paths and parking.

• Sanctuary of San Bachisio: A 13th-century Pisan-Romanesque church completely rebuilt in 1597 by Miguel Puig with late-Gothic elements, housing a 1.5-meter tall polychrome wooden statue of San Bachisio in military attire.

• Town Hall (Municipio): Located at Piazza del Popolo 2.

• Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul: Rebuilt in the 19th century on a 17th-century structure, retaining a carved trachyte portal and four panels from a 16th-century retablo.

• War Memorial & Ethnographic Museum: Located in Piazza Corte Bella alongside the former deconsecrated church of Santa Croce.

• Churches of San Basilio, San Giovanni, and San Francesco d’Assisi: Historic urban churches exhibiting Catalan-Gothic and traditional architectural styles.

Exploring the Surroundings of Bolotana

• Su Bardosu & Ziu Zolo: Minor peripheral fractions and hamlets of Bolotana.

• Bolotana Railway Station: Located south of the town along the SP17.

• De Cannas, Figu, and De Gazza Proto-Nuraghi: Corridor proto-nuraghi situated near the Rio Cannas.

• Santu Asili Megalithic Tomb: A damaged megalithic burial site near the de Gazza proto-nuraghe.

• Funtanassidda Simple Nuraghe (Sos Chircos): A single-tower nuraghe located at 970 meters elevation.

• Pabude Municipal Park & Mularza Noa Fortress: A high-altitude park featuring the remains of a 5th-century BC Punic fortified complex (Fortress of Mularza Noa), a nuraghe, and the famous Mularza Noa Waterfall, which drops about 18 meters in two tiers.

• Ortachis Forest & Megalithic Circles: A dense woodland area containing the Ortachis nuraghe and two prenuragic megalithic circles attributed to the Ozieri Culture.

• Badde Salighes & Villa Piercy: A natural oasis and mountain hamlet established in the mid-19th century by railway engineer Benjamin Piercy, featuring his quadrilobed castle-like villa surrounded by exotic plants and a developing mountain botanical garden.

• Santa Maria ’e Sauccu Sanctuary: A country church situated at 850 meters altitude on a plateau overlooking the Sauccu River, surrounded by about fifty muristenes (pilgrim lodgings).

• Tittirriola Simple Nuraghe: A single-tower nuraghe originally reaching 15 meters in height, featuring an intact tholos chamber and an adjacent nuragic village site, giants’ tomb, and sacred well.