Villanovaforru
Population: 798
Altitude: 324m. above sea level
The town of Villanovaforru is situated in the heart of the Marmilla
district. The town, which was relatively unknown up until a few
years ago, today enjoys international fame thanks to its historical
and cultural patrimony. In fact, following the excavation work
carried out on the Nuraghe Genna
Maria and the inauguration of the
Genna Maria Museum, the area has began attracting an increasing
number of visitors from all over the world.
In the historical town centre visitors can admire the beautiful,
old houses, which have been carefully restored and respect the
traditional architecture of the area. The walls are in stone,
marlstone and sandstone with different chromium plating. A splendid
example of this traditional architecture is the nineteenth century
building "Monte di Soccorso", which hosts the Museo
Archeologico di Genna Maria.
Among the many things to see in Villanovaforru, visitors should
not miss the town's splendid churches:
- The Parish Church of San Francesco:
the church still boasts most of the former glory of its Gothic-Aragonese
architecture from the XII century. The polychrome marble altar
from 1787 is particularly interesting, as is the modern, ceramic
via Crucis.
- The Country Church of Santa Marina:
this Romanesque-Pisan church is situated just outside the town
and it is the only church in Sardinia dedicated to the Spanish
martyr. It was built according to a Latin cross design with
a single nave and a transept and has a bell tower with gable
roof.
 Villanovaforru
boasts the only chair lift on the island and this modern system
takes visitors up to the Giara di Siddi. During the ride up to the
plateau visitors are rewarded with a magnificent panorama and can
admire numerous Nuraghi, as well as the extraordinary Megalithic
tomb of "Sa Domu 'e
S'Orcu"(The Ogre's House).The local economy is based on
agricultural, pastoral and artisan activities, as well as tourism.
Sheep farming and vine growing constitute the most diffused activities
and thanks to these traditions the area boasts exceptional cheese
and wine, such as Nuragus, Monica and Malvasia.The town also has
a healthy artisan sector and is noted for the following handicraft:
- Ceramics:
skilled craftsmen use traditional methods and techniques to
reproduce and decorate the objects uncovered in the numerous
Nuraghi, which are scattered all over the district.
- Sweets and desserts:
a local co-operative produces the delicious sweets and desserts
which are specialities of the area, using recipes and methods
which have been passed down from one generation to the next.
- Carpentry:
skilled carpenters produce various, fine objects, in particular
beautifully carved wooden chests
- Sculpture:
master sculptors produce marvellous ornamental statues
and furniture from local stone.
- Embroidery:
the town is particularly noted for its production of fine embroidered
shawls.
All the towns and villages in Sardinia have a rich programme of
local feasts and festivals, and Villanovaforru is no exception.
We particularly recommend the following events:
- The Festival of Santa Marina - 16/17
July
this festival is characterised by religious rites, folklore,
local gastronomic specialities, as well as singing and dancing.
- The Festival of "Simbula fritta cun
sattizzu" - second Saturday in September
this is a gastronomic festival which offers visitors the chance
to sample delicious local products and specialities of fried
bran with sausage, home-made bread, wine and desserts.
- The Festival of San Francesco -
3/4 October
San Francesco, the Patron Saint of the town, is celebrated with
a holy mass and a procession escorted by mounted police and
accompanied by folk groups. The festival is followed by an exhibition
of the fine local handicraft and visitors can admire beautiful
shawls, knives, embroidery, wooden chests and sculptures in
wood and stone.
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