Holiday apartment in Uri: Nature, history and regional festivals

Uri lies in a hilly landscape crossed by fascinating valleys. The area is rich in limestone, basalt and trachyte. In addition to the rocks, water, local history and traces of the Nuragic period are among the central themes associated with the town. The individual sites are located in different areas: Lago del Cuga is five kilometres from Uri, while the fountain, church, washhouse and Santa Caterina are located in the town.

Nature and water at Lago del Cuga

Lago del Cuga is an artificial reservoir on the road to Alghero. The area around the lake is a habitat for rare waterfowl. Sport fishing is possible at Lago del Cuga. Those who include the lake in their day’s itinerary can plan nature observation and sport fishing as different focal points. The five-kilometre distance makes the lake a separate section alongside the town centre.

Parco Sant’Antonio has picnic areas, toilets and a playground. These facilities provide an opportunity to take a break outdoors.

History in Uri town centre

Funtana Manna, built in 1777, stands in the town centre. Since 2018, it has been part of the tourist route “Funtaneris. Sulle strade dell’acqua”.

The Chiesa parrocchiale di Nostra Signora della Pazienza, a late Romanesque parish church, is located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

The historic Antico Lavatoio Su Trogliu washhouse is also part of the townscape. After a period of decline, it was restored in 1997.

Nuragic remains in the surrounding area

The present-day historic centre of Uri also contains the three Nuragic towers and the remains of the huts surrounding them, forming the Complesso nuragico di Santa Caterina. The Complesso nuragico di Santa Caterina is a Bronze Age complex consisting of a trilobate Nuraghe and a village.

Sa Pedra Longa is located a few kilometres from Uri. The only surviving feature there is the monolithic, arched stele, made from a single block of rock, belonging to a Nuragic giant’s tomb from the Middle Bronze Age. The structure is dated to approximately 1700–1350 BC.

The remains of Nuraghe Peppe Gallu are also among the area’s historical traces. They emerge during periods of drought.

Festivals and specialities

The Sagra del carciofo takes place every year in March. Visitors can sample the speciality named in the festival’s title in numerous variations. The Sagra focuses on the artichoke, while the Madonna celebration is marked by Vespers, Mass and a procession.

The main celebration in honour of the Madonna begins on 12 September with Vespers. The following day, a solemn Mass and a procession through the town’s streets take place. The main celebration therefore extends over two days.

Further places for planning your trip

You can supplement your itinerary with Bono, Santa Vittoria, Sennori, Marina Di Sorso, Villa Gorizia, Osilo, Castelsardo and Usini.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sassari.