Tertenia, a fascinating synthesis of mountains and sea

Tertenia is the southernmost village in Ogliastra, in central-eastern Sardinia, and concentrates all the natural and cultural attractions of this region: from beaches to forests and mountains, from traditions, including culinary ones, to archaeological sites.

One hundred kilometers from both Cagliari and Nuoro, Tertenia is a village with an agro-pastoral tradition and is populated by almost four thousand inhabitants. The village has recently discovered an important tourist vocation thanks to the emphasizing of its natural beauties that offer a fascinating synthesis of mountain and sea.

In a valley surrounded with the mountains of Monte Ferru, the Taccu Mannu and Monte Arbu, the village is located in a really suggestive setting!

The waters of the Rio Quirra flow through the village and its tributaries, vineyards, forests of holm oaks and Mediterranean plants create infinite chromatic variations in the surrounding countryside. The limestone towers Tacchi d’Ogliastra give the landscape a further charm.

The coast stretches for twelve kilometers. The long Marina of Tertenia offers enchanting beaches of light and soft sand that alternate with rocky coasts: Foxi Manna, Foxi de Murdegu, Abba de is Marronis. Their waters are clear and of a changing blue.

According to tradition the village would have risen right by the sea, along the beach Foxi Murdegu, today dominated by the tower of San Giovanni di Sarrala (XVI century). To defend itself against Saracen incursions it would then have moved “upstream”, to finally locate in the current “intermediate” site.

At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the area was involved in the mining of minerals that were shipped in the port of Santoru, in the southernmost part of the Marina.

There are countless archaeological remains.

The first traces of settlement in the territory date back to the recent and final Neolithic (IV-III millennium BC) and are found in the caves at the foot of Mount Giulea and in the “domus de Janas” necropolis Magalàu and Santa Lugia.

Almost 80 nuraghi belong to the Bronze Age, a time of high population density, among which the nuraghe Aleri stands out – about thirty tombs of Giants, about twenty nuragic villages and a sacred well.

From archeology to art: in the village we find the Albino Manca museum, dedicated to the artistic story of the painter and sculptor born and died in Tertenia (1898-1976).

Among churches to visit: the parish church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of the Assumption and the church of Santa Teresa d’Avila (17th century). In “Bidda ‘e Susu” we find the Byzantine church of Santa Sofia, in whose honor they celebrate the most heartfelt festival (beginning of September). For St. Peter the Apostle is paraded in costume, while in August a festival of typical products offers roast and boiled sheep, local cheese and wine.

Beach Foxi Murdegu

Beach Foxi Murdegu, also known as beach of Sarrala, is characterized by being dominated by the Aragonese watchtower of San Giovanni Sarrala, which became a bunker during World War II.

It is a beautiful beach of pale sand, in some stretches mixed with pebbles, with an uncontaminated and wild charm, bathed by a crystalline and transparent sea, with beautiful shades of green and with backdrops that gently slope down towards the open sea. Nearby you can find a fair amount of services, including hotels, campsites and bars.