When you think of Sardinia, it's easy to imagine enchanting beaches and crystal clear waters. However, this island is much more than a beach destination. It is a place rich in traditions, culture and landscapes that deserve to be explored. In this article, we will guide you to discover some of the most authentic experiences you can have in Sardinia, far from crowded beaches and common tourist routes, to discover Sardinian weaving workshops and some of the most characteristic villages, to experience an immersed holiday in craftsmanship and history.

What to see in Sardinia

Sardinia is renowned for its extraordinary artisan tradition, which is expressed in a variety of forms, from weaving to cork and ceramic processing. If you are in Gallura, a suggestive stop is in the village of Aggius. In the historic center of the town, exposed granite is the predominant element, present in the walls of the buildings and in the external fixtures. Here, the "Prof. Cannas Textile Laboratory" will allow you to immerse yourself in the ancient Sardinian weaving techniques. You will be able to admire carpets and tapestries made with manual looms, using Sardinian wool, cotton and linen yarns. Each piece is unique, the result of craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation.

A short distance away, less than 10 km, you will find one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Tempio Pausania, the "city of stone". This jewel set in Mount Limbara preserves ancient granite buildings and squares in its splendid medieval historic center. The visit to the village can become even more evocative if accompanied by a stop in the artisan workshops of Calangianus, where you can discover the processing of cork and ceramics.

What experiences to have in Sardinia?

Continuing our journey to discover Sardinian craftsmanship, we move to the Nuoro area, in two unmissable stops for those who want to immerse themselves in the ancient traditions of weaving: Ulassai and Urzulei. In Ulassai you will find the artisan textile cooperative "Su Marmuri ", which will offer you an intimate and engaging experience. Managed entirely by women, this cooperative is the oldest in Sardinia and produces tapestries, carpets and furnishing fabrics, handmade with manual looms and natural raw materials such as sheep's wool and linen.

Ulassai is also famous for its natural beauty, such as the Su Marmuri Caves, among the largest and most spectacular in Europe, and for the contemporary works of art by Maria Lai, an internationally renowned artist originally from the town. The artistic journey "La Stazione dell'Arte" is an unmissable cultural experience.

In Urzulei, Elena Mulas' Artessile laboratory is famous for its carpets characterized by bright colours, made with traditional techniques such as "pibiones" and "littos". The experience is not limited to weaving: the village of Urzulei also offers naturalistic attractions such as the Su Gorropu Gorges, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, and the nuragic complex of Or Murales, together with the giants' tombs of S'Arena Fennau.

What to see in non-touristy Sardinia?

There are hundreds of artisan workshops, and visiting them all can be challenging if you have limited days. For this reason, an opportunity not to be missed is to visit the two main craft fairs in the province of Oristano. In Mogoro you will find the Artistic Crafts Fair of Sardinia, while in Samugheo you can explore the Tessingiu fair. These fairs bring together the works of hundreds of artisans who display the best of their creations: ceramics, metals, weaving, embroidery, traditional clothing and jewelry. You will be spoiled for choice to see up close the artisan techniques that make Sardinia a land of rare cultural beauty.

Also in Mogoro, in addition to the fair, you can immerse yourself in the world of weaving by visiting the "Su Trobasciu" Artisan Cooperative. Here too, you will find yourself in a world dominated by manual looms, where the women in the laboratory work with different techniques: "bagas" for tapestries, (additional wefts that cover the warp threads), creating precious wefts where the symbol becomes figure, and "pibiones" for carpets (Sardinian wool wefts wrapped in an iron, forming relief motifs) from which the most varied designs are obtained to adapt to any decor.
In Samugheo, however, you can visit the "MURATS" Museum , the Single Regional Museum of Sardinian Textile Art, and take a leap into the past up to 1700. Walking through the corridors of the museum, you will be able to see up close how the art of weaving has evolved over the centuries, keeping its essence.

Sardinia is an island that surprises in every corner: through its villages, its fairs and its artisan workshops, you will be able to discover a thousand-year-old culture that is reflected in every detail of daily life. Entering these laboratories, you will be enveloped by the scent of the raw materials and the sound of the instruments that shape and mold unique works.

Far from the crowded coasts, an authentic and unforgettable journey awaits you, between art, tradition and uncontaminated nature. Let yourself be enchanted by the lesser-known Sardinia, where beauty lies in the simplicity and authenticity of a land that still has so much to tell.

Photo credits:

Photo: Massimo Loi / Laboratorio Artessile Urzulei

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