Overview of Neoneli
Neoneli (Sardinian: Naunele, elevation: 554 meters above sea level, population: 622 as of December 31, 2021) is a hill town nestled in the green hills of the Barigadu region, near Lake Omodeo. The municipal territory reaches up to 841 meters of altitude and is known for its rich natural and cultural heritage.
-
Association: Neoneli is a member of the National Association of Wine Cities (Associazione nazionale Città del Vino).
-
Origin of the Name: The toponym is likely of protosardinian origin; linguist Massimo Pittau suggests it connects to Leune (little lion / lion cub), corresponding to the Latin surname Leonilla or metaphorically meaning “little fox”.
-
Economy: The core of the local economy is agriculture (cereals, wheat, vegetables, fodder, vines, orchards, and olives) and livestock farming.
Culture and Traditions
-
Tenores di Neoneli: Founded in 1976 by Tonino Cau, this famous traditional polyphonic quartet revives the ancient Canto a tenore style. Beyond traditional chants (Ballu torrau, Gocios, Ballu tundu), they have collaborated with notable artists like Francesco Guccini, Angelo Branduardi, and Elio e le Storie Tese.
-
Sos Corriolos: The traditional Carnival masks of Neoneli characterized by animal skins, hedgehog skins on the shoulders, deer or stag antlers on cork headpieces, and animal bones tied together to create a rhythmic sound representing cycles of death and rebirth.
-
Key Festivals:
-
January 17: Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot with the first appearance of Sos Corriolos and bonfires.
-
Second Sunday after Easter: Feast of Saint Antiochus the Martyr.
-
June 29: Feast of Saint Peter.
-
First Monday of August: Feast of the Angel (S’Angelu) at the country church.
-
Late September: Licanias cultural festival.
-
Early October: Sa festa de sa fregula istuvada e de Sa cassola celebrating traditional local cuisine.
-
Exploring the Town Center
-
Town Hall: Located at Via Roma 83.
-
Parish Church of Saint Peter Apostle: Rebuilt in 1611 on a 14th-century foundation and restored in the 19th century, featuring a Catalan-Gothic style facade with red trachyte, a rose window, and a single nave housing precious altars and art.
-
Parco delle Rimembranze & War Memorial: A treed park housing the monument listing Neoneli’s fallen soldiers from both World Wars.
-
Bentu Luna Winery: A notable local wine project by Gabriele Moratti that highlights regional winemaking heritage, producing wines recognized by Vinitaly’s 5StarWines and Gambero Rosso.
Surroundings and Nature
-
Church of the Angel (Sa Cresia e S’Angelu): Built between 1619 and 1640 in Catalan-Gothic style, dedicated to the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael.
-
Assai Fauna Oasis: Managed by the forestry inspectorate, this protected area spans nearly 1,000 hectares of evergreen holm oaks, granite peaks, and a repopulation zone for rare fallow deer, red deer, and other wildlife.
-
Sa Crabarissa: A natural granite rock formation resembling a woman in traditional Cabras attire, tied to local legends of petrification due to ungenerosity or heartbreak.
-
Archaeological Sites: Includes the domus de janas of Puleu, Pranu Sasa, and Su Angiu, alongside the Monte Olisezzo nuraghe and the Nole (Nocurreli) nuragic village.