Monte Ortobene, in Nuoro, was one of the 20 mountains chosen by the Vatican and Pope Leone III as a site for a monument to be dedicated
to Christ the Redeemer, in occasion of the 1900 Jubilee.

The bronze statue, which is about 7m. tall, was unveiled on 29th August, 1901. In commemoration of this event, every year the people of Nuoro celebrate the Festival of the Redeemer, regarded as the region's most important festival.

In recent years, the lay celebrations have been
separated from the religious rituals and on the
Sunday before 29th August an animated procession
makes its way through the streets of Nuoro.

The participants come from all over the island and
parade through the town in the colourful,
traditional costumes of their villages.

The processions terminates at the sports ground, where the festival takes place and a jury selects the best folk groups to take part in the final competition on 29th August.

On the morning of 29th August the main religious ceremony takes place. The faithful gather in front of the Cathedral, the starting point of the traditional pilgrimage, and they walk to the statue of the Redeemer, where, just before midday, the Holy Mass is celebrated on the granite altar.