Abbasanta, a strategic area of Sardinia
an ancient name coming from water
This village is an important centre in Barigadu and owes its name to the ancient belief that its waters have curative properties. At the centre of the Sardinian main road artery, the SS 131, Abbasanta was known in Roman times as Ad Medias Acquas. The later Aba Sancta (holy water) is mentioned for the first time in the XII century.
On a basaltic plateau 30 kilometres from Oristano, Abbasanta is in an area mainly of pastures, and rich in springs and woods of cork oak and downy oak. .
ancient origins for a slow food presidium
With 2700 inhabitants Abbasanta has been known since ancient times, and is today a slow food presidium for its casizolu (a typical cow cheese).
In fact, human presence in the area dates back much earlier than the arrival of the Romans, that is to the Neolithic, as the dolmen of S’Angrone demonstrates. The sacred well of Calegastea, the tomb of the Giants of Sos Ozzastros and numerous Nuragic complexes date back to the Bronze Age.
Nuragic complexes
The most famous is Nuraghe Losa, three kilometres from the town. Another important nuraghe is the single-tower Zuras, dated between the 14th and 12th BC; you can see from its terrace other sites, such as the multi-lobed nuraghe Aiga, with the remains of a village from the mid-2nd millennium BC.
Abbasanta old centre
Arranged around the parish church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, the old centre of Abbasanta is very characteristic and enriched by the traditional basaltic stone houses. The church was built in the sixteenth century with a Catalan-Gothic structure, but was completely restructured in Renaissance style at the end of the nineteenth century.
for nature lovers
If you love walks in the nature two location are particularly interesting. Parco di S. Agostino, a four hectares oak grove near the small church of Byzantine origin of S. Agostino, with its muristenes (small buildings inhabited during the celebrations of the saint). And the Springs of Bonorchis, a natural area not far from the tomb of the giants Su Pranu, the funerary area of Mesu Enas and the Domus de Janas.
handicrafts, agro-pastoral activities, and an important horse-breeding centre
The village’s economy bases today on small handicrafts (metal and cork processing), services and agro-pastoral farming, with the green areas heavily dedicated to cattle and sheep breeding.
An important horse-breeding centre is in località ”Tanca Regia”.
strategic location in Sardinia
Abbasanta hosts two heliports, dog units, some military depots, the Police Academy and the Hunters of Sardinia
The geographical position in the centre of the SS 131 dcn (Abbasanta – Nuoro – Olbia) is strategic in Sardinia. The road network allows, in fact, easy connections with the Tirso valley, the Mandrolisai, the Barigadu and all the centres that overlook the Carlo Felice. You also find a in the village a railway station (FF.SS. – State Railways).
