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Bottidda

Bottidda is an agricultural village set on a sunlit plateau nestled to the south at the foot of the Monte Rasu chain, just east of the hill known as Su Monte ’e Sa Corona (named after the nuraghe on its summit).

The Historic Region of Goceano

The Goceano (Sardinian: Sa Costèra) is a historical region in north-central Sardinia that includes the upper basin of the Tirso River. According to historian Giovanni Francesco Fara, the Latin name Gothiani indicates settlement by the Goths, while others derive Goceano or Guttiánu from Gúttiu (drop), pointing to an abundance of water springs. The municipalities of Goceano include Anela, Benetutti, Bono, Bottidda, Bultei, Burgos, Esporlatu, Illorai, and Nule. The area’s primary resources are cereal cultivation in the valley floor, pastoralism, and forestry.

The Municipality of Bottidda

The municipality of Bottidda (elevation 396 meters above sea level, population 649 as of December 31, 2021) features an irregular geometric profile with altimetric variations ranging from 199 to 1,196 meters above sea level.

• Origin of the Name: Originally called Gocille, the name evolved through Gotille, Botille, and Botilla to the modern Bottidda.

• Economy: While historically focused on wine-making agriculture, Bottidda’s economy is now predominantly pastoral. Key activities include the production of cured meats, the typical Pane fresa bread, woodwork, catering, agritourism, and animal feed manufacturing. Important natural resources stem from the Monte Pisanu forest area and the Santo Stefano park (Su Pizzu) within the village.

Historical Overview

• Ancient & Medieval Eras: Prehistoric remains include the Sa Corona nuraghe and a nearby giants’ tomb. Some scholars suggest Gocille was founded by Greeks as the first urban settlement in the upper Tirso valley, possibly originally located on the Su Pitzu (or Sant’Istevene) hill. In the Middle Ages, Gocille belonged to the Giudicato of Logudoro (curatoria of Monte Acuto) and gave its name to the entire Goceano region. Two Franciscan convents were established here: the first in 1220 on Monte Rasu (the earliest Franciscan convent in Sardinia) and a second in 1640 at the edge of the town center (now represented by the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli).

• Modern Era: Following Aragonese and Spanish rule, Bottidda was incorporated into the County of Goceano until the abolition of feudalism in 1839. It was aggregated to Bono in 1928 and separated again in 1933.

Festivals and Traditions

• Holy Week: Significant celebrations include the paraliturgical rite of S’Iscravamentu (deposition of Christ from the cross) using a 13th-century wooden crucifix preserved in the parish church, accompanied by traditional pastries like Sas casadinas and Sa Tumballa.

• Festival of Nostra Signora ’e Su Zichi: A religious celebration where the typical Sardinian circular bread (Pane Zichi) is blessed and distributed to participants in fulfillment of votive promises.

• January 1 and December 31 (Questue de su Morti e su Candhelarzu): Ancient traditions where children carrying white cloth sacks chant through the town to receive dried fruit and typical sweets (papassinos and Cozzulos).

• January 16: Festival of Saint Anthony the Abbot (Festa di Sant’Antoni de Su Fogu), featuring the blessing of a massive community bonfire surmounted by a traditional orange-decorated cross, the propitiatory six-fold ritual (S’Inghiriu de Su Fagarone), and a pork-based dinner for all participants.

• October 7: Feast of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary.

Exploring the Center of Bottidda

• Town Hall (Municipio): Located at Via del Goceano 2 (just off Via Regina Elena).

• Bottidda Football Ground: Located along Campu Idda street.

• Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Sant’Antonio Abate): The oldest church in Bottidda, built by Franciscan friars between 1606 and 1622 as part of a former convent (Su Cunventu), featuring a pink trachyte façade and housing statues of the Madonna de Su Zichi and Saint Francis of Assisi.

• Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary: Built around 1860 on the ruins of the older Immaculate Conception church, featuring a three-nave interior and preserving a 13th-century wooden crucifix used during Holy Week rites.

• Municipal Cemeteries: The historic cemetery is located along Via del Cimitero, while the newer municipal cemetery (Nuovo Cimitero) is situated along the SP84 heading east.

Exploring the Surroundings of Bottidda

• Abandoned Bottidda Railway Station: Located south of the town near the former SS128bis crossing along the historic Tirso–Chilivani railway line.

• Sa Corona Complex Nuraghe & Giants’ Tomb: Situated on the summit of Monte Corona, offering panoramic views of the valley alongside a ruined giants’ tomb.

• Monte Rasu & Franciscan Convent: Located at 942 meters altitude within the Monte Pisanu forest, this historic Franciscan convent was founded around 1220 by Giovanni Parenti (a disciple of Saint Francis) and preserves a small church dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli, celebrating the Perdono di Assisi on August 2 and Saint Francis on October 4.