Discovering the Municipality of Viddalba in Sardinia
Viddalba, also known as Viddaècchja in the Gallurese variant, is a captivating Italian municipality located in the province of Sassari, in the historical region of Gallura. With a population of around 1672 inhabitants, this picturesque town is situated at the western borders of Gallura, along the valley of the Coghinas river.
The history of Viddalba is filled with evidence from various historical periods that have shaped this land. From the prehistoric period with domus de janas and nuraghi, to the Roman era with a necropolis and an ancient bridge, the city preserves precious ceramic artifacts and glass objects in the Civic Archaeological Museum.
A historical landmark is the Romanesque church of San Giovanni Evangelista, dating back to the Middle Ages. The original statue is now located in the church of San Leonardo after the ancient structure fell into ruin. Today, the church has been rebuilt from scratch and serves as a place for celebrating the feast of St. John the Baptist.
- The predominant dialect in Viddalba is Gallurese.
- The hamlets that make up the municipality include Giagazzu, Giùncana, L’Avru, Li Reni, and Tungoni (116 inhabitants).
- The economic activities in the area are mainly related to agriculture, construction, and craftsmanship. In particular, textile production, wrought iron, and stone sculpture are significant sectors for the local economy.
Viddalba also hosts a small foreign resident community: as of December 31st, 2010, it counted 35 people mainly from Romania. These data highlight the cultural diversity present in the social fabric of the municipality.