The Territory
The LEADER territory of the GAL Rural District BMG consists of the Union of Municipalities of Barbagia and the Mountain Community of Gennargentu Mandrolisai. The GAL, therefore, includes 19 municipalities, with a total area of 854.30 sq km and a resident population as of 2019 of 23,356 inhabitants.
The Municipalities
Aritzo, Atzara, Austis, Belvì, Desulo, Gadoni, Gavoi, Lodine, Meana Sardo, Ollolai, Oniferi, Olzai, Ortueri, Ovodda, Sarule, Sorgono, Teti, Tiana, Tonara.
Forests and Woodlands
The territory is characterized by a vast wooded area typically consisting of holm oaks. Cork oaks and downy oaks are numerous in the more inland areas of Barbagia and Mandrolisai, while chestnut woods are concentrated in higher altitude areas. In the same territorial area, there are also the few hazelnut groves on the island. In the hilly areas, at 500-700 m, between the territories of Sorgono, Atzara, Meana Sardo, Ortueri, vines are traditionally cultivated. The particular agro-environmental characteristics, together with local biodiversity and traditional cultivation techniques, allow for the production of high-quality wines, such as Mandrolisai DOC.
Biodiversity
The natural heritage of the territory is characterized by significant spontaneous plant biodiversity, with the presence of almost 400 endemic species of medicinal plants, and cultivated biodiversity, with numerous fruit varieties (pear, apple, apricot, peach, almond, vine, olive, chestnut, hazel, etc.) and horticultural varieties (Gavoi potato, Tiana and Austis green beans, tomatoes, etc.). Animal biodiversity includes species such as the macrostigma trout, the Sardinian donkey, the small-sized Sardinian breed sheep, and the Sardinian pig.
Protected Environment
Many of the municipalities in the area fall within SCI and SPA areas of the Natura 2000 Network: SCI Monte Gonare (Sarule), SCI and SPA Monte del Gennargentu (Aritzo and Desulo), and SCI Su De Maccioni-Texile (Aritzo). Areas of particular natural value include the Su Texile Natural Monument in Aritzo and the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu National Natural Park (Aritzo, Belvì, Desulo, Gadoni, Lodine, Meana Sardo, Ollolai, Olzai, Ovodda, Tiana, Tonara).
Water Resources
The territory includes parts of the Tirso, Cedrino, and Flumendosa basins and some important artificial lakes, including Gusana, Cucchinadorza, and Benzone.
Cultural Heritage
The imposing archaeological heritage from the Nuragic and pre-Nuragic periods consists of nuraghi, Nuragic huts, villages, Domus de Janas, necropolises, altars, giant's tombs, menhirs, sacred springs, and dolmens. Among the most relevant are: Nuraghe Nolza in Meana Sardo, the Nuragic village of Abini in Teti, the menhir park of Biru 'e Concas in Sorgono, and the Sas Concas Necropolis in Oniferi. There are also testimonies from the Phoenician-Punic period (the Funtana Raminosa mines in Gadoni), Romanesque period (roads, bridges, tombs, thermal baths, fountains, villages), and medieval period (churches, towers, valuable houses). Of notable interest are also the sacred architecture (urban and rural churches and sanctuaries) and the architectural testimonies related to pastoral and peasant culture and tradition. The territory is also characterized by the presence, in all the municipalities of the GAL, of historical centers of high architectural value, confirmed by their inclusion in the regional inventory of historical centers, established pursuant to L.R. 29/98, as particularly significant for traditions, culture, and traditional architecture. This heritage is complemented by important museum institutions, such as the Museum of Natural Sciences in Belvì, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art “Antonio Ortiz Echagüe” in Atzara, the Ethnographic Collection in Aritzo, the Archaeological Museum of Teti, the Porcu-Satta and Fiore Sardo House Museums in Gavoi, and the Textile Art Museum in Sarule. The civic museums, craft exhibitions, village architecture, places of worship in small towns, and rural churches outline typical and autochthonous aspects from which the syncretism between Nuragic and Christian culture emerges.
Rural Traditions
Cultural activities and leisure time are strongly influenced by local traditions and cultures. Folk groups, canto a tenores (recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity), polyphonic choirs, traditional masks, etc., are widespread. In the historical centers and in the countryside, there are testimonies of architecture related to pastoral and peasant culture and tradition.
Agri-food
The dairy sector deserves special mention, with productions related to Fiore Sardo DOP, Pecorino Sardo, Frue and Merca, semi-hard cheeses, fresh and salted ricotta. The production of traditional local sweets, based on almond paste and honey, widespread throughout the territory, and nougat is also interesting. The production of honey is directly related to the confectionery industry. The production of traditional breads is represented, in addition to pane carasau, also by other products (pane cicci, spianate, cocone, etc.); the production of fresh pasta and cured meats also deserves to be mentioned.
Crafts
Wood craftsmanship is linked not only to the production of fixtures and furniture but also to the production of the cassapanca, traditional masks, and domestic and work utensils. Ironwork has some peculiarities linked to tradition (wrought iron, as an element of urban furniture, horseshoeing, the production of cowbells, domestic and work utensils) and other processes related to the construction sector (carpentry, gates, fences, etc.). Leather processing is aimed at the production of traditional and modern shoes, personal accessories (bags, wallets, belts, etc.), and horse-riding equipment. Textile craftsmanship includes some traditional productions such as carpets and bertule, tailoring with the production of the shepherd's suit in velvet or fustian, the production of Sardinian costumes, embroidery, the production and enhancement of fabrics (silk yarn production, orbace, dyeing with natural colors). Stonework essentially concerns the production of artifacts for decoration and urban and residential furniture and cemetery artifacts. The presence of small cork processing businesses, favored by the spread of numerous cork oak forests, is significant.
Rural Hospitality
Local tourist accommodation in the different accommodation facilities is characterized by a small-scale dimension, a family-type organization, and is linked to the use of environmental and cultural capital. In particular, it is based on small hotels, bed & breakfasts, farmhouses, and mountain campsites. The growth of ecological awareness has favored the development of demand for nature tourism, which offers the possibility to carry out outdoor activities and sports. Interest in services such as agritourism, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian tourism, sport fishing, etc., is growing. In the analysis of the hotel tourist offer, a greater specialization of the Barbagia municipalities emerges, in particular Aritzo and Gavoi, but with significant initiatives also in Desulo, Tonara, and Belvì. The type of offer that has shown more dynamism in recent years, taking market shares from the more traditional ones, is agritourism, a type of tourism closely connected with nature, which allows the integration of agricultural activities with local traditions. The agritourism offer is widespread throughout the territory.
