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Atzara and its hills, softened by the work of its people, naturally and simply represent an
extraordinary example of how people can preserve their traditions intact, even through the
centuries, restoring the lights and colours of days gone by to the modernity of the present day.
Lights and colours that are reflected in the pure, charming and varied landscapes, and in
the tastes and aromas of a simple, peaceful way of life.
In Atzara, everythings is reflected in the traditions and originality of the area: from the
wine and local cuisine, to the precious handcrafted items and traditional folklore containing all
of the unique and specific qualities of the past.
All this is Atzara and the atzaresi: men and women who are able to look to the future while
preserving their historical memories intact, using the strength of tradition as a basis for
sustainable development that will respect man and nature.
Farming centre of the region of Barbagia Mandrolisai, Atzara is located on the western side of
Gennargentu, laying on a wide hollow in the upper valley of river Araxisi. It borders the
municipalities of Belvì, Meana Sardo, Samugheo and Sorgono.
Atzara is a borough of medieval origins dating back to the early 1000 A.D.; it is assumed to
have been founded by inhabitants of three neighbouring villages, whose territories are adjacent to
the modern settlement: Leonissa, Baddareddu and Pauli Cungiau.
The centre of the village has preserved an intact urban layout, characterized by Catalan
architectural features. The narrow, evocative side streets, emerging onto a square dedicated to the
Martyr Sant’Antioco, are marked by a number of granite low houses, still showing their original
floors in oak planks. Other buildings have preserved intact trachyte cornices, elegant works of
sculpture, embellishing doors and windows, often enriched by architectural and decorative features
of artistic and historical value. In particular, the Palace of the Counts of San Martino (‘Casa de
Su Conte’), the court adjacent to the house, with a domed well, and the ancient parish house are
all worth visiting.
At the heart of the centre is the
Museum of Modern and
Contemporary Art, dedicated to Antonio Ortiz Echagüe, who stayed in Atzara during the first
half of last century, along with other Spanish ‘Costumbrist’ painters.
Local economy is essentially characterized by a thriving agriculture and sheep/goat farming. But
there are also an intensive cork extraction activity and a remarkable
artisan manufacturing, the
most valuable products being represented by settles in carved wood and by loom-woven handicrafts,
such as carpets, tapestries and blankets worked ‘a pibiones’. Yet, what distinguishes the territory
of Atzara, either economically and from the standpoint of cultural identity, is
wine culture.
Wine-making has been carried on by local inhabitants since centuries. A land of genuine, strong
wines, the region of Mandrolisai has represented one of the most important wine centres of the
whole Island, at least until the middle 1900; indeed, it can boast a considerable presence of
quality vineyards producing red DOC wines.
Reception facilities are mainly represented by farm stays and bed & breakfasts.
The great autumn shows ('Cortes
apertas') and late spring festivals (wine fair) are
very interesting from a tourist point of view, with a number of visitors converging from the whole
Island.
