Latest News

Atzara and the Mandrolisai Region

Atzara is a hillside municipality located in central-western Sardinia within the Province of Nuoro, bordering the Province of Oristano. Recognized as one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (Most Beautiful Villages of Italy) and a member of the national “Città del Vino” (Wine Cities) network, it is widely celebrated for its centuries-old viticultural heritage, artistic traditions, and distinctive folk costume.



The Region of Mandrolisai

Situated southwest of the Barbagia di Ollolai, the Mandrolisai (historically a curatoria of the Judicate of Arborea) forms the geographic heart of Sardinia. It encompasses the municipalities of Samugheo (in Oristano Province) and Atzara, Desulo, Sorgono, and Ortueri (in Nuoro Province). The landscape is defined by high plateaus, deep pastoral valleys, cork oak forests, and chestnut groves. Punta La Marmora—the island’s highest peak—lies on its eastern border.

The region is famous for its unique viticulture, which focuses on blending native grape varieties: Bovale Sardo (Muristellu), Cannonau, and Monica.

Overview of Atzara

Situated at an average elevation of 530 meters above sea level (with elevations ranging from 345 to 1,000 meters), Atzara sits near the western slopes of the Gennargentu massifs and is dominated by Monte Sa Costa. The surrounding countryside is rich in cork oak forests, natural springs, and extensive terraced vineyards.

Name Origins

• The traditional spelling retains the old Sardinian “Tz” orthography.

• The topnym likely derives from Auttsàra (referring to climbing hedge plants) or Atzara (a term associated with dough or flatbread).

Historical Background

• Origins: Human presence dates to the Nuragic era, but the current village originated around 1000 AD from the ancient settlement of Leonisa near the Bingia de Giosso spring.

• Medieval to Modern Era: Part of the Judicate of Arborea under the Mandrolisai subdistrict, it later fell under Aragonese rule. Feudal control passed through several families (including De Jana, Cubello, Alagon, and Valertino) until the abolition of feudalism in 1839.

Art, Culture, & Wine Heritage

The “Atzara School” of Painting

In the early 20th century, Atzara became a magnet for Spanish costumbrista painters—Eduardo Chicharro Agüera, Antonio Ortiz Echagüe, and Bernardo De Quirós—who were drawn by the light, landscape, and traditional attire. Their presence influenced prominent Sardinian artists (such as Giuseppe Biasi, Filippo Figari, Mario Delitala, and Carmelo Floris) and fostered a local artistic movement.

• Antonio Corriga (1923–2011): Renowned Atzara-born painter, engraver, and ceramicist whose work focused heavily on social themes.

• Vittorio Tolu (b. 1937): Modernist painter, sculptor, and jewelry designer born in Atzara.

Traditional Dress (Costume Tradizionale)

The women’s traditional dress of Atzara is renowned for its vivid colors and its distinctive white fabric head-dress, the Tiaggiòla. Unlike many other regional garments, the Tiaggiòla has a unique shape found nowhere else on the island, making it a favorite subject for early 20th-century photographers and painters.

Viticulture & Local Wineries

Unlike Barbagia wines that use pure Cannonau, Atzara’s red wines are crafted from a balanced blend of Bovale Sardo, Cannonau, and Monica grapes.

• Vitivinicola Fradiles: A family-owned estate managing 10 hectares of vineyards (with vines aged 80 to 100 years) at elevations between 500 and 700 meters. Their Mandrolisai DOC wines have earned high national honors, including 5StarWines recognitions at Vinitaly and the Tre Bicchieri award from Gambero Rosso.

• Cantina Famiglia Demelas: A local boutique winery established in 2019, whose Mandrolisai DOC Rosso Giuàle received a 5StarWines award at Vinitaly.

Key Annual Events

• Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate (Jan 16–17): Winter gathering featuring a large ceremonial bonfire.

• Wine Festival & Feast of Sant’Isidoro (Sagra del Vino) (Second Sunday of May): A major celebration featuring a parade of decorated ox-carts (traccas), folk dress displays, wine competitions (Bottiglia dell’Anno), and painting contests.

• Countryside Feasts of Santa Maria ‘e Josso (Aug 22) & Santa Maria ‘e Susu (Sept 8): Rural pilgrimages and celebrations held at historic country chapels.

• Patronal Feast of Sant’Antioco (Nov 13): Feast honoring the town’s patron saint; historically accompanied by the distribution of traditional sapa breads (Sa Pane ‘e Sapa or Fioriu).

• From Wine to Painting (Dal Vino alla Pittura) (Late November): The local autumn cultural festival held as part of the Autunno in Barbagia circuit.

Urban Landmarks and Architecture

The historic core of Atzara is divided into traditional historical quarters: Su Fruscu, Lodine, Montiga e Josso, Montiga e Susu, Sa Cora Manna, Su Cuccuru de Santu Giorgi, and Tzùri. Architecture consists of low granite houses with oak-beamed attics alongside Aragonese-era residences.

Key Highlights in Town

• Parish Church of Sant’Antioco Martire: Built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Pisan-Aragonese Gothic style. Features a plain facade with a rose window, a single nave with Gothic choir vaults, two wooden Baroque altars, and an older Romanesque trachyte bell tower.

• Sa Casa de Su Conte & Old Rectory: An Aragonese-era palace formerly belonging to the Counts of San Martino. Its inner courtyard contains a square well topped with a dome covered in colorful local maiolica tiles.

• Antonio Ortiz Echagüe Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art: Founded in 2000 on an initiative by painter Antonio Corriga. It exhibits works by Spanish costumbristas as well as master Sardinian artists (Ciusa, Biasi, Figari, Delitala, Floris, Dessy).

• Church of San Giorgio: A simple single-nave stone church consecrated around 1386 (with origins documented prior to 1205). It served as the setting and inspiration for notable paintings by Spanish visiting masters.

Surrounding Countryside & Archaeological Heritage

Atzara’s territory contains ancient cork forests, quartz and graphite mine ruins, and important prehistoric sites.

Country Chapels

• Church of Santa Maria ‘e Susu (Santa Maria Bambina): Located in the Laonìsa district, this rural chapel was built around 1000 AD and stands as the sole surviving structure of the medieval village of Leonisa.

• Church of Santa Maria ‘e Josso: Originally known as Santa Maria De Is Novizios, this lower chapel collapsed in the early 20th century and was rebuilt in modern form during the 1970s.

Prehistoric & Nuragic Sites

• Abbagadda Complex:

  • Nuraghe Abbagadda (Abba Gadda): A well-preserved complex nuraghe with a main tower standing 6 meters high. Built of granite blocks arranged in irregular courses, its inner chamber retains three niches. Uniquely, traces indicate its stone blocks were originally coated in a protective layer of clay to seal out moisture.

  • Tomba dei Giganti of Abbagadda: Located 200 meters south of the nuraghe, this giant’s tomb retains portions of its rectangular burial chamber and exedra stone blocks.

• Corongiu Senes Site:

  • Domus de Janas of Corongiu Senes: A multi-chambered rock-cut tomb excavated into the hillside, consisting of an antechamber and two interior cells arranged in a line.

  • Nuraghe Corongiu Senes: Ruins of a granite nuraghe situated on a nearby rocky outcrop.