Sardinia unveils its architectural treasures
Monumenti Aperti ('Open Monuments') 2024 enlivens spring and fall weekends with art, culture and authenticity
Artistic magnificence, shared memory, identity and a sense of community: this is the most encompassing effort to safeguard, enhance and promote the cultural heritage of Sardinia. In 2024, the 28th edition of Monumenti Aperti (Open Monuments) is divided into two stages, running across seven weekends: from the 4th of May until the 2nd of June and during the last two weekends of October. Hundreds of cultural sites will open their doors during this time, such as museums, archaeological sites, churches and historical buildings, natural monuments and parks. Each town will tell its tale through literary itineraries, architecture routes in cities that have been marked by centuries of powerful rulers. Students and volunteers are warming up to lead you along a travel through the beauty that crosses millennia, all the way to the farthest past. Places of yesterday and today, where memories of the past and ideas aiming towards the future coexist. It is not a coincindence that this year's title goes by the name of 'Spazi per i sogni' ('rooms for dreams').
A priceless material and intangible cultural heritage lies spread along the territory of no less than 78 towns, marking the 2024 edition of Monumenti Aperti as the richest ever. Eleven of them join the event for the first time, such as two of the most important cities of Gallura: Arzachena, the 'beating heart' of the glamorous Emerald Coast, and Santa Teresa Gallura. Badesi and Viddalba come as the new entries in Anglona. Moving to the surroundings of Oristano, Monumenti Aperti welcomes the newcomers Nurachi, where you will be able to visit the oasis and the tower of Pischeredda, Simala, an hamlet made famous by its gates, and Sini, a small village sitting at the foot of the Giara of Gesturi. First time also for Segariu, in the Marmilla region, Escalaplano, near the border between Gerrei and Ogliastra, and Samassi, where the church of San Gemiliano opens its doors. On the subject of ancient churches, Sant'Elia di Tattinu is the 'jewel' on display in Nuxis, the newcomer in the Sulcis area.
Among the 'faithful' partakers in Monumenti Aperti, the island's capital cannot be missing. Cagliari displays evidence of thousand-year old events, from its Phoenician roots to the Roman traces, going through medieval fortifications up to its most recent buildings, which have been stylishly set into the city's layout. The surroundings of Cagliari are not any less: Elmas, Sestu, Settimo San Pietro and Quartu Sant’Elena are taking part in the event, with their historical buildings, churches and archaeological sites. One example? Nuraghe Diana, a 'sentinel' overlooking Quartu Sant'Elena coast. Still in the Lower Campidano area, a number of villages steeped in history and rich in traditions make their comeback: Decimoputzu, Monastir, San Sperate, Ussana and Villasor.
Sometimes culture rhymes with landscape, as among the romantic bastions of Alghero: around its territory you will find mysterious and charming evidence of the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic Sardinian past. Sassari offers its museums, churches and historical buildings surrounded by the greenery from its city parks. The offer in Sulcis could only wind between the sea and the mines: Iglesias and Carbonia are joined by two of the jewels in the Sulcis archipelago: Sant'Antioco and Carloforte. Speaking of the sea, here comes Pula, Sarroch, Teulada and Villasimius, while Villaputzu bears the Sarrabus 'flag'. Medio Campidano offers a wide range of attractions: Pabillonis, Nuraminis, Samatzai, San Gavino Monreale, Sanluri and Serramanna are joining this edition. Towards West, you will dive into sceneries enriched by woods, waterfalls and abandoned mining villages in Arbus, Guspini, Gonnosfanadiga and Villacidro.
Nature comes first also in Ogliastra – where Triei confirms its attendance – and at the feet of the spectacular plateaus called Giare, in Marmilla, participating with Genuri, Lunamatrona, Siddi and Tuili, 'home' of the spectacular altarpiece kept in the church of San Pietro. Heading slightly towards West, you will embark on an exciting travel back in time, in Sardara. Here, the Nuragic Age is represented by the sanctuary of Sant'Anastasia, and the historical evidence found in its territory up to the Middle Ages is on display in the Villa Abbas museum. In Ballao you can admire the surprising Nuragic well-temple of Funtana Coberta. Oristano shows its Judicial past, while visitors can explore Terralba and Ardauli in the surrounding area. Up again on the West coast, an unmissable place is Bosa, with its mighty castle, the historical tanneries and the churches. On the Western side of Montiferru massif, a must-see is Cuglieri, with the old Capuchins' monastery and the Santa Maria della Neve basilica.
Charming atmospheres and intense fascination are the trademarks of the inner villages, where cultural sites and centuries-old traditions come along with handcraft and culinary excellences. This happens in Gavoi, Neoneli, Aritzo and Ovodda. On the edge between the Supramonte peaks and the sea of the Gulf of Orosei lie the monuments of Dorgali. In Logudoro you will explore the treasures of Ploaghe, Monteleone Rocca Doria and Padria. Monumenti Aperti shines a special light on Gallura also thanks to Aggius, Aglientu, Bortigiadas, Calangianus, Luras, Luogosanto, Tempio Pausania, Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola and with its ‘capital city’ Olbia. Around Sassari, the enchanting mix of nature, culture and history of Ittiri, Ossi, Porto Torres, Stintino and Chiaramonti reveals itself. Here, the remains of the Doria castle are a must see. The 2024 edition of Monumenti Aperti will 'trespass' the Sardinian borders in October with two events, in Bitonto and Ferrara.
