NORAGUGUME, A PLACE STEEPED IN HISTORY AND TRADITION

Noragugume is a small village in the Marghine region, located in the geographical center of Sardinia and part of the national network of Italy’s Authentic Villages. Perched on a basalt plateau between the hills and the Tirso plain, it is a place rich in history, nature, and identity. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the Sa Pedra 'e Taleri menhir—over four meters tall and shrouded in legend. Numerous Nuragic remains can also be found here, most notably the nuraghi Tolinu, Mura 'e Sune, and Irididdo, which dominate the landscape from strategic positions and are still partly unexplored. These remnants speak of a past deeply rooted in the Nuragic civilization, revealing the strategic and symbolic importance of this territory.

Over the centuries, the village was part of the Judgeships of Torres and Arborea, before coming under Aragonese rule. In 1478, after siding with Leonardo d’Alagon in the Battle of Macomer, Noragugume was razed to the ground in retaliation. It was rebuilt in the 15th century and still preserves a neat urban layout, enriched with murals and picturesque views. The heart of the village is Piazza IV Novembre, overlooked by three churches: the Church of the Blessed Virgin of Itria, dating back to 1620 and tied to a Byzantine devotion; the modern parish church of Saint James; the small Church of Santa Croce, built in 1593. Every year at Pentecost, the village comes alive for the Feast of the Madonna d’Itria, which culminates in the Ardia—a thrilling and devout horseback race. Nearby, you’ll also find the rural Church of San Michele and the evocative Sa Cresia Noa, an ancient rock-cut tomb with arcosolia. With its religious roots, medieval heritage, archaeological treasures, and strong local identity, Noragugume is a truly authentic place—where past and present intertwine, and every stone tells a thousand-year-old story.