Gairo (NU)
Latitude:
39.8475
Longitude:
9.5065
Population: 1389
Area: 77,49
Density: 17,92
Photo Credits: Di Su Maimulu - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72935175
Gairo is a small village of less than 1500 inhabitants in the province of Nuoro in Ogliastra
The area of the town was already inhabited since the Nuragic era
During the Middle Ages it belonged to the Giudicato of Cagliari until the fall of the giudicato in 1258, when it came under the Pisan dominion
In 1324, it passed to the crown of Aragon after the defeat of the PisansAragonese who, from 1363, incorporated Gairo in the county of Quirra, granted by the king of Aragon to Berengario Carroz
It was a county villa until 1603, when the county was transformed into a marquisate, a fief of the Centelles and then of the Osorio de la Cueva
It was ransomed to the latter in 1839 with the suppression of the feudal system
In the last century the historical core of the village "Gairo Vecchio" was partially destroyed by a flood in 1951 and abandoned
The new houses were rebuilt at a higher altitude than the original villageHe also rebuilt himself on the coast, giving rise to the municipality of Cardedu
The territory of Gairo extends from the mountains of the Gennargentu to the sea with naturalistically exciting landscapes
Among the most interesting places to visit for nature lovers we must mention the Monte Perda Liana and the Grotta Taquisara , partially open to visitors thanks to a guided tour
While on the coast, to visit the beaches of Su Sirboni and Coccorrocci as well as Monte Ferru with its suggestive natural pools called " Piscinas "
In the mountainous territory it is possible to spot wild boars, foxes and mouflons, of which there are still several tens of specimens
In the area of Gairo (bordering Osini), rises the nuraghe Serbissi at 964 meters above sea level , built on a natural relief shaped like small squares
For star lovers, don't miss a visit to the Ferdinando Caliumi Astronomical Observatory
The most important and particular tradition is certainly the carnival of Gairo: Su Maimulu
In addition to the archaic representation of the struggle between good and evil widespread in all the Barbagia and Ogliastra carnivals , the Gairo Carnival is enriched by a series of unique figures
Another peculiarity of the Gairese carnival is the so-called "questua"
The carnival representation is in fact followed by a cart, pulled by two figures dressed as oxen (or rags), trasulau and malandau
Inside the cart there is a large puppet with human features "Santu Nanì" and a skinThe cart is used to collect the offers of the community for the Carnival, wine, meats, cheeses and dessertsThese gifts are hung on the balconies and is maimulus must earn them by climbing gutters or climbing on the balconies
As they pass, trasulau and malandau invite the community to offer something, through the classic cry "Donate to buffai to Santu Nanì" (Dates to drink to Santu Nanì)