Discover Ottana, a charming Italian municipality nestled in the province of Nuoro, with a population of approximately 2303 residents. The climate here is mainly continental, with rainfall concentrated between late autumn and early spring, while summers are virtually rain-free. The annual average precipitation stands at around 520 mm. Noteworthy is Ottana’s reputation for being one of Europe’s hottest municipalities, with maximum temperatures often surpassing Sardinia’s average values during the summer.
Ottana’s territory boasts a rich history dating back to the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic eras, through an important Roman period. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the Giudicato of Torres and later under the Aragonese rule of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Over the centuries, Ottana has undergone various transformations until the abolition of the feudal system in 1839.
At the heart of the town stands the splendid former Romanesque cathedral of San Nicola, built between 1140 and 1160 and consecrated in 1160. Inside lies the famous Polyptych of Mariano IV d’Arborea from 1344, attributed to the Tuscan or Sienese school. Other religious buildings include the churches of Sant’Antonio Abate, Santa Maria, Santa Margherita, and San Pietro.
- The variant of Sardinian spoken in Ottana is Nuorese.
- Of great interest is the local carnival featuring characters like Boes and Merdules: monstrous wooden masks for Boes and bovine features for Merdules.
- The economy relies on traditional livestock farming but also on petrochemical industry and production of synthetic textile fibers.
- The local football team is Polisportiva Ottana playing in Group B Sardinian 1st Category with azure and white as their club colors.
