Holiday apartment in Ozieri: archaeology, churches and Sardinian culture

Ozieri between archaeology and Sardinian culture

The Grotta di San Michele gave its name to the Ozieri, or San Michele, culture of the Sardinian Final Neolithic. This culture dates from 3200 to 2800 BC. The historic centre also contributes to the town’s distinctive character: palaces with Spanish and neoclassical influences stand alongside churches, former monasteries, fountains and traditional balconies.

Archaeological evidence from the Final Neolithic to the Bronze Age

The Civico Museo Archeologico di Ozieri is housed in the restored former convent complex of the Poor Clares. The museum preserves materials discovered in the caves of Ozieri and in the Ozieri area. Among the most significant Bronze Age artefacts are the Cattina bronze collection and the Delogu-Tola ingot. The archaeological perspective in Ozieri therefore extends from the caves in the area to the finds from the Bronze Age.

The archaeological heritage of Ozieri also includes the Nuraghe Sa Mandra 'e Sa Jua complex in the San Nicola district. It consists of a nuraghe and a village with round and rectangular huts. The Grotta di San Michele has a total development of 160 metres and 15 points of interest in the form of small chambers and passageways. The two sites represent different forms of Sardinia’s past: here, the underground cave; there, the archaeological complex with its architectural structures.

Churches and sacred art

Sacred art is present in Ozieri’s museums and churches. The Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra is housed in the former Tridentine seminary. In its picture gallery, it brings together the largest number of paintings by the Maestro di Ozieri in a single room. The Church of San Francesco was consecrated on 24 April 1575. It contains a wooden altarpiece with green-painted and gilded sections, as well as wooden statues of the Immacolata, Saint Michael, Saint Francis and other Franciscan saints.

In the vicinity of Ozieri stands the Basilica di Sant' Antioco di Bisarcio on a rocky hill beside the remains of a large Benedictine monastery.

Landscape, cycling route and getting there

Cycle Route 30, known as Berchidda–Ozieri/Chilivani, runs through a particularly interesting area from a landscape and natural-history perspective, near Lago Coghinas and in the Monte Limbara area. Lago Coghinas is designated as an SIC and ZPS area.

Ozieri is connected to the railway network via Ozieri-Chilivani railway station. From there, the ports of Olbia, Golfo Aranci and Porto Torres can be reached.

A local speciality: Spianata di Ozieri

Spianata di Ozieri (pane fine) is an old type of bread. It is still made today in modern bakeries using water, salt, yeast and durum wheat semolina.

Discover more places

If you are looking for more destinations for your travel planning, here are the directly connected places: Ploaghe, Castelsardo, La Ciaccia, Muros, Marina Di Sorso, La Muddizza, Perfugas and Campanedda.

For the broader travel overview: Sassari.