Osini

At the foot of a plateau rising to almost 1,000 metres, surrounded by an unspoilt landscape of gorges and cliffs covered in Mediterranean vegetation, lies the village of Osini. After a devastating flood in 1951, the settlement was rebuilt about one kilometre farther north, leaving Osini Vecchio abandoned. Some houses and the 17th-century Church of Santa Susanna still remain in the old village.

The Serbissi nuragic complex is one of the most important archaeological sites in the area and lies near the Neolithic tomb known as De s'Orcu, which local legend associates with giant beings. This high-altitude nuragic settlement is notable both for its state of preservation and for a cave beneath the site dating to the Early Bronze Age.
Above the village are the remains of an old fortification, possibly medieval or, according to some interpretations, of Roman-Byzantine origin. Archaeological finds including coins and pottery have contributed to the debate over its history.

Scala di San Giorgio

One of the great natural landmarks of this wild corner of Sardinia is the Scala di San Giorgio, a narrow gorge formed by two monumental limestone and dolomite walls. Nearby stands the sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint, celebrated every year on 24 April. During the festival, old Osini comes back to life for two days, with houses arranged as they once were and exhibitions and activities held around the church.

Food and events in Osini

Among the local specialities are culurgiones filled with mountain potatoes, while Osini is also known for its distinctive yellow-red cherries. They are celebrated during the Cherry Festival in June, with two days of performances, tastings, concerts, wine events and excursions through the area's characteristic limestone plateaus, known as tacchi.