Fonni can be considered an authentic jewel nestled in the heart of Barbagia, a picturesque place where nature and culture coexist, in a continuous chase between past and present, history and legend, culture and modernity, a place that is really worth a visit.
Fonni (in Sardinian ‘Onne) is the town located at the highest point of Sardinia, it is positioned, in fact, on the slopes of Gennargentu, immersed in the heart of Barbagia at an altitude of 1000 meters.
Lying in the center of the territory, Fonni represents the most important center of the Barbagia of Ollolai.
The name Fonni is probably of paleosard origin, although there are two theories:
- it derives from the Phoenician word Phanna, which meant elevation, beautiful view
- it derives from the name of the ancient mansio of Sorabile, a station for the reception of travelers and the pack of horses located on the important Roman Mediterranean road, which connected Olbia to Cagliari, whose ruins are still visible. Folk tales tell that the town was abandoned following a serious plague, but it was probably set on fire and destroyed following an attack by vandals in the 5th century AD.
Historical background of the area
The territory of Fonni has been inhabited since the pre-Nuragic age, it experienced Roman domination and in the eleventh century it became part of the Giudicato of Arborea.
In 1410 it passed under the dominion of the Marquises of Oristano and about sixty years later it was conquered by the Aragonese.
In 1604 it was incorporated into the Duchy of Mandas, thus becoming a fief, a condition from which it will emerge only in 1839, with the suppression of the feudal system.
Archaeological attractions
In the territory of Fonni there are various testimonies of the presence of man since ancient times, among which the most important is the complex of Gremanu, from the Nuragic age.
Immersed in a dense oak wood, it is the only known nuragic aqueduct on Sardinia and is located upstream of an articulated system of canalization and collection of spring water, a hydraulic engineering work that used water for sacred rites and everyday life.
The Gremanu aqueduct is associated with the Madau necropolis consisting of four tombs of the Giants with a bull protome shape.
The settlement dates back to a period between the 15th and 9th centuries BC. and downstream there are three temples built in basalt, limestone and trachyte alternating to create refined chromatic effects, sacred enclosures and about one hundred huts of a nuragic village.
Furthermore, the remains of the archaeological site of San Michele Orrui with Menhir, Dolmen and a necropolis have been brought to light in the surroundings of Fonni; the tombs of the giants of Badistili and Durane, on the border with the municipality of Gavoi; of the protonuraghi Orgoi and Sa Sergente and of several simple and complex nuraghi.
Festivals and celebrations
There are several festivals and fairs that take place in Fonni, among the main ones we can mention:
- the feast of Saint’Antonio Abate, held on 16 and 17 January, during which several bonfires are lit in the streets of the town
- the feast of Our Lady of the Martyrs, the first Sunday of June, characterized by a procession involving men and women dressed in traditional local costumes
- the Palio of Fonni, which takes place on the first Sunday of August
- the PaStorias festival, usually held at the beginning of September, during which pastoral culture is celebrated, a fascinating journey through time between ancient crafts, music, myths of Gennargentu and typical cuisine
- the carnival (Su Arrasehare Onnesu) is characterized by the ancient masks of S’urthu and Sos Buttudos which represent the daily struggle of man with nature and Sas Mascaras Limpias, masks of the proloco of Fonni personified by both men and women, elegance and beauty, and that, in order not to be recognized and not to reveal the sex, they do not speak and completely cover themselves
Fonni is therefore a village of ancient origins, an authentic jewel in the heart of Barbagia, perceptible wandering around the historic districts, where it is possible to find mountain houses covered by scandulas, ancient wooden tiles, and admire characteristic murals (murales), a place that is worth the visiting in all seasons, from winter, when it is possible to admire it covered in snow, to summer, when it is possible to find refreshment from the strong summer heat, to spring and autumn, when it will be possible to admire the wonderful colors typical of the two seasons.