Discover Uri: Landscape, History and Local Festivals

Uri lies in a hilly landscape crossed by fascinating valleys. Limestone, basalt and trachyte are part of its geological character. Historic water facilities stand alongside a late Romanesque parish church in the townscape; the historic centre also contains remains of a Bronze Age nuragic complex. Religious festivals and the Sagra del carciofo add recurring events and local cuisine to the town’s history.

Lago del Cuga and Parco Sant’Antonio

Lago del Cuga is an artificial reservoir five kilometres from Uri on the road to Alghero. The area around Lago del Cuga is a habitat for rare waterbirds; sport fishing is also possible there. Its location on the road to Alghero sets the lake apart geographically from the destinations in the town centre. For day planning, it can therefore be considered separately from the fountains, churches and archaeological remains within the town. The combination of the reservoir, waterbirds and sport fishing gives the lake a clear connection with nature and leisure.

Parco Sant’Antonio has picnic areas, toilets and a playground.

Churches, fountains and historic townscapes

Funtana Manna, built in 1777, stands in the centre of Uri. Since 2018, it has been included in the tourist route “Funtaneris. Sulle strade dell’acqua”. Another historic water facility is the Antico Lavatoio Su Trogliu. The washhouse was restored in 1997 after a period of decline.

The Chiesa parrocchiale di Nostra Signora della Pazienza is located in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The late Romanesque parish church stands in the centre of Uri. The parish church complements the two historic water facilities with a religious building in the town centre.

Nuragic remains in and near Uri

The Complesso nuragico di Santa Caterina in Uri is a Bronze Age complex consisting of a trilobate nuraghe and a village. The three nuragic towers and the remains of the huts surrounding them from this complex are also located in today’s historic centre. The complex connects the nuraghe and the village with the towers and hut remains preserved in the centre.

A few kilometres from Uri lies Sa Pedra Longa. Of the nuragic giant’s tomb from the Middle Bronze Age, only the monolithic, bow-shaped stele made from a single block of rock remains. It is dated to approximately 1700–1350 BC. Another archaeological testimony is the Nuraghe Peppe Gallu: its remains emerge during periods of drought. At Sa Pedra Longa, therefore, the surviving stele is the focus, while at Nuraghe Peppe Gallu it is the visibility of the remains during dry periods.

Festivals and Sardinian artichoke specialities

The Sagra del carciofo takes place every year in March. At this festival, you can sample the namesake speciality in numerous variations. The date in March and the many preparation styles give the festival a clear culinary focus.

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 two dates are clearly distinct: in March, the artichoke is the focus, while in September, the celebration is dedicated to the Madonna.

Further destinations for travel planning

Tottubella, Santa Maria Coghinas, Ardara, Usini, Martis, Fertilia, Marina Di Sorso and Sassari

To the overarching travel overview: Sassari.