The Festivals of the Marmilla

Visitors can relive ancient, local traditions at the various festivals celebrated in the different areas of the Marmilla district.

The following is a list of some of the most important events, as well as the period and the town in which they take place:

• "SA TUNDIDURA" (sheep shearing) - Furtei - last Sunday in May
  Furtei is a small town just a few kilometres from Villanovaforru and every year it hosts the sheep shearing festival, a fascinating ancient rite.
  An area is designated for sheep shearing, while the town's womenfolk prepare the local cheese, known as "Su Calladeddu", which is then offered to visitors. While they are waiting for the feast to commence, visitors can admire the numerous stands where local gastronomic products are displayed. Particular attention should be paid to the delicious sweets. After the prize-giving ceremony for the best sheep-shearers, the feast begins. The main dish is boiled lamb cooked with onions, potatoes and wild fennel.
  
  
• THE SHEEP FESTIVAL - Collinas - 16 June
  This is a gastronomic festival which offers visitors the chance to sample delicious local lamb dishes. During the day there are numerous fascinating events with typical Sardinian music, singing and folklore.
  
  
• "SA BADRUNFA" and "SU TIROLLASTICU" - Lunamatrona - third Sunday in June
  The town of Lunamatrona lies just 2 km. from Villanovaforru. Every year this festival celebrates children's games from the 1950s, with spinning top and catapult tournaments.
  During the evening visitors can sample delicious gastronomic specialities of boiled beans and snails, accompanied by the fine local wines.
  
  
• "HARVEST FESTIVAL " - Turri - 30 June
  This is a festival which celebrates ancient harvest traditions. In the town of Turri, which is just a few km. from Villanovaforru, at the first light of dawn "Is Messadoris", the reapers, start harvesting the corn, while the "Is Ispigadrixis" follow behind, collecting the husks which escape the reapers' scythe.
  There is a brief pause mid morning for "Su Smurzu", which in local dialect means snack.
  The following day threshing begins by hand or with a threshing machine and lasts all morning. Visitors are then offered the chance to sample a variety of delicious local specialities.
  During the celebrations visitors can also enjoy pony trekking on the Giara plateau, where they are offered a typical lunch of "malloreddus" (Sardinian pasta) served with Sardinian sausage and sheep's milk cheese.