Ilbono (NU)

Ilbono

Explore the captivating history of Ilbono, a small Italian municipality located in the province of Nuoro at 400 meters above sea level.

Sardinia, with its linguistic conservatism, provides interesting insights into understanding the origins of place names. For example, the presence of the letter “O” at the end of names like Bono suggests a Nuragic root rather than Latin.

  • Nuragic Origins: Ilbono, formerly known as Irbono, derives its name from the Nuragic epithet for the wild boar “silvone.” This connection confirms the ancient presence of wild boars in the area.
  • Nuraghi: The territory of Ilbono is rich in Nuragic remains with nine nuraghi according to Emanuele Melis and 14 according to Vittorio Angius.
  • Paleolithic and Neolithic: The earliest traces of humans in Sardinia date back to the Lower Paleolithic. In the Ilbono area, there are important artifacts from the late or final Neolithic period.
  • Nuragic Civilization: The majestic nuraghi are symbols of the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia, testifying to a time of great splendor in the island’s past.

From the Middle Ages to modern days, Ilbono has experienced various political dominations while maintaining its cultural and linguistic identity intact.

The traditional female costume reflects different social nuances with elegant details like “sa mantilla” for affluent women and “su colore” for those belonging to more humble classes.

Today, traditional attire is only worn on special occasions during major festivities in Ilbono. The city is also known for its football team G.S. Ilbono Calcio playing in Group A of Sardinian 1st Category.