Esporlatu and the Goceano Region
The Historical Region of Goceano
The Goceano (Sa Costèra in Sardinian) is a subregion in north-central Sardinia comprising the upper Tirso River basin and the surrounding mountain chain of the same name. Its economy centers on cereal farming in the valleys, pastoralism, and forestry.
Overview of Esporlatu
Esporlatu (Isporlatu in Sardinian) is the smallest municipality in the Goceano region, nestled in a valley south of the Castle of Burgos and surrounded by dense forests of holm oaks, downy oaks, hollies, and maples.
Origins & History: The name reflects the Sardinian noun Isporula (“wild grapevine”), which is common in the area. Inhabited since prehistoric times (attested by roughly fifteen nuraghi), the town’s current location dates to the Middle Ages during the construction of the Goceano Castle and the adjoining chapel of Saint Gavino. It belonged to the Giudicato of Logudoro (Goceano curatoria) and later passed to the Arborea and Crown domains before being redeemed from feudalism in 1836. After a period of administrative aggregation with Burgos, Esporlatu became an autonomous municipality in 1946.
Key Sites & Cultural Highlights:
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Parish Church of San Gavino Martire: Built as a palatine chapel during the medieval period for the castle’s castellans, serving as the local parish church.
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Erismanzanu Nuraghe: A single-tower nuraghe standing 8 meters high, featuring an internal helical staircase leading to a tholos chamber with a central floor pit.
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Monte San Martino Nuraghe: A complex nuraghe with an added front tower, surrounded by a defensive wall and prehistoric settlement ruins.