Discover Lodè: Montalbo, the Old Town and Sardinian Festive Traditions

Holiday apartment in Lodè amid nature and local history

Lodè combines the landscape of Montalbo with a historic town centre, crafts and festive traditions. The area is shaped by the Montalbo mountain range; its highest peaks, Punta Catirina and Punta Turuddò, reach an elevation of 1,127 metres. Tepilora Regional Nature Park is located in north-eastern Sardinia and encompasses the municipalities of Bitti, Lodè, Posada and Torpè. The Rio Mannu flows near Lodè, with the Sos Golleos waterfall located along it. At the foot of Monte Albo lies the Ceas Montalbo di Lodè.

The medieval town centre

The historic centre of Lodè extends along the slopes of the su Inucragliu hill. Its typically medieval urban layout developed around the old churches; bent streets, arcades, narrow alleys and stairways define it. Three traditional types of residential buildings stand out in the historic centre.

Crafts and early cultural evidence

Lodè has craft workshops where iron and wood are worked; other workshops are dedicated to weaving and embroidery. There are five Domus de Janas in the Lodè area, underground tombs carved into the rock that are known there as Calas de sos naneddos. The Nuraghe Sas Melas is also known as Norchirì and is the best-preserved nuraghe in the Lodè area.

Trails, ecosystems and Montalbo

Ceas Montalbo di Lodè offers educational trails for exploring the region and guided tours, including the observation and study of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Fragments of two different Catillum millstones from Thilameddu can also be viewed there. The section of CAI trail G-104A lies within the municipality of Lodè, in the Montalbo area of Community importance, and reaches the viewpoint at Corru 'e mandra Pass and Punta Ferulargiu. Along the trail are an old transhumance route and the ruins of former sheepfolds.

Festivals with processions and regional sweets

In Lodè, the Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate is celebrated every year on 16 January with large bonfires in the streets. During this festival, children go from house to house and receive Calistros, Arantzos and various sweets prepared by women for the occasion. The Corpus Domini procession leads from the parish church through the streets and neighbourhoods to temporarily erected altars; families provide decorations and aromatic herbs such as erva de Santa Maria. The Festa di Sant’Antonio da Padova, celebrated on 13 June, includes a procession after a solemn Mass, accompanied by young people in traditional dress. After Mass, sweets are offered to everyone present in the square of the same name.

Tours and tastings

The Azienda Agrituristica Sas Pretas Latas Fattoria Didattica in Località Sant’Anna, Lodè, offers guided tours of the farm and tastings.

Further destinations

Tonara, Orgosolo, Onanì, Nuoro, Meana Sardo, Cala Liberotto, Bolotana, Lollove

To the overarching travel overview: Nuoro.