There is 'nothing to see in Nuoro, which to tell the truth is always a relief ... sights are an irritating bore', wrote a rather self consciously blase DH Lawrence, visiting the Sardinian town as part of his Italian grand tour in 1921. We have to say Lawrence sold Nuoro, which sits on the slopes of Monte Ortobene in the centre of Sardinia, a little short. The position of the town, which the mountain soaring behind is spectacular enough, with the Supramonte soaring to the front. There are, too, a host of things to see thses days at least, with the Museo (museum) d'Arte Nuorese and the Museo Etnografico. There is a lovely old town, based around the pedestrianised Corso Garibaldi, and in late August the whole town takes to the streets to celebrate Sardinia's biggest festival, the Festa del Redentore (festival of the redeemer).
But most of all, Nuoro is the cultural heart of Sardinia. It was dubbed the 'Sardinian Athens' during the early 20th century, being home to an extraordinary flowering of artistic, poetic, literary and intellectual talent. From here came Grazia Deledda, 1926 winner of the Nobel literature prize. There is sculptor Francesco Ciusa Romagna, writer on law Salvattore Satta (who was similarly dismissive, calling Nuoro 'nothing but a perch for the crows'), and the best known Sard poet, Sebastiano Satta. Nuoro sits on the main Oristano to Olbia highway running across the island, and thus enjoys good access to both east and west coasts. The Gennargentu national park is just south of here.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Nuoro hotels.
