Fonni (NU)
Latitude: 40.1217
Longitude: 9.2518
Population: 3838
Area: 112,27
Density: 34,19
Fonni, at 1000 meters above sea level, is the highest town in Sardinia and one of the most important centers with a pastoral economy on the island.
Like other Sardinian mountain agglomerations, it is structured in compact neighborhood nuclei, generally dating back to distinct inhabited formations or expansions, composed of small stone houses with one or two floors, in the oldest districts and better with qualities you can see the roof of wooden tiles, the so-called scandulas.
The oldest nucleus seems to have grown, in the early Middle Ages, around the church of S. Giovanni Battista, subsequently it is assumed that the districts of Ghinio and Su Piggiu developed, on the ridge of the mountain that slopes down towards north east.
Another important nucleus came to be established in the seventeenth century around the Franciscan convent and church and the active presence of the friars had a significant significant influence on the development of Fonni, which in the seventeenth century. It became the most important center of the Barbà sopp centiantaiando, the town that had given its name to the territory.
Thanks to its altitude, Fonni is the only ski destination in Sardinia with lifts of the Spada and Bruncu Spina peaks, which reach over 1800 meters.
The murals that decorate the alleys of the village are beautiful, representing scenes of village life and work in the fields, while among the most representative buildings this mountain jewel that are worth a visit, we point out the church of San Giovanni basilica of the late Gothic style and the Virgin of the martyrs.
The territory of Fonni was inhabited in the pre-Nuragic, nuragic (with the presence of tombs of giants and nuraghi) and Roman times, in which the mansio Sarabensis was founded.
Fonni is also known for the confectionery production of the typical Savoyard biscuits of Fonni and for the Palio di Fonni or Palio dei Comuni which takes place every year in the municipal gallop on the first Sunday of August.