Sorgono: Menhirs, History and Mandrolisai
Accommodation in Sorgono
Sorgono lies on the western slope of the Gennargentu in central Sardinia. Coniferous forests, holm oaks, downy oaks, chestnut trees and hazel bushes, as well as Mediterranean maquis, surround the town.
Archaeological insights among menhirs and granite
Biru ’e Concas is a Copper Age archaeological site in Sorgono. Around 200 menhirs stand there, arranged individually, in pairs, groups of three, rows and circles. These different arrangements are precisely what make the site such an accessible introduction to Sardinia’s early history: you can observe not only individual stones but also appreciate the spatial variety of the site.
The main structure of Talei is an approximately elliptical protonuraghe with a corridor made of large granite blocks. Nuraghe Talei can be reached via the SS 388 in the direction of the Church of San Mauro and stands on a small rise beside the road.
Historic Centre and Sacred Architecture
The historic centre of Sorgono preserves traces of Aragonese rule. Stone houses and narrow lanes shape its appearance and give the town centre a distinct architectural character. The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta was built in the Late Gothic style. A church was built in 1574 and features an imposing Gothic rose window on its grey trachyte façade, the largest in Sardinia.
The Wood Museum also introduces you to a special aspect of local culture. It conveys the art of carving and engraving, showcasing a craft that can be understood directly through its materials and techniques.
Rituals, Wine and Regional Experiences
In 2026, the ancestral ritual “Sa Tuvera” will return to Sorgono. The festival in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot opens Carnival in central Sardinia. If you would like to combine your trip this year with a cultural occasion, this ritual is one of the town’s distinctive events with a clearly defined date.
The gentle hills around Sorgono are home to the Cannonau, Monica and Bovale grape varieties. They are used to produce Mandrolisai wine. The region’s cuisine and wine tradition can also be combined with a tour through the Mandrolisai area: the tour by tourist train can begin in Sorgono at Piazza della Vittoria or in Località Pranu and includes a tasting of typical products at a natural water source.
When choosing accommodation, this diversity can help you determine your own travel focus. Sorgono particularly appeals to you if you would like to combine archaeological sites, historic townscapes, sacred architecture, craftsmanship, wine and regional products in one trip. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay more strongly on the centre, cultural history or the landscapes of the Mandrolisai area, without reducing the town to just one theme.
More destinations for your Sardinia research
La Caletta, Torpè, Silanus, Galtellì, Lodine, Aritzo, Ovodda, Bolotana
To the higher-level travel overview: Nuoro.
