Barì is the ancient name of Bari Sardo: the latter was the name it was given in 1840 during the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, however, to its citizens and to the inhabitants of Ogliastra, it is still known as Barì.
The territory of Bari Sardo has a rich archaeological heritage dating back to both the Nuragic and Pre-Nuragic periods. The oldest records date back to the Neolithic age, with the presence of many Domus de Janas, near which isolated millstones carved out of granite (cuvettes), can often be found. The Nuragic period, that has left many nuraghi scattered throughout the territory and more concentrated in the hills that border the most prominent river, the Riu Mannu, and on the Teccu plateau, is very well represented. The Pizzu'e Monti hypogean necropolis, consists of two Domus de Janas, in good condition, dug on an outcrop of red porphyry. The first Domus, located 109 meters above sea level, consists of an anteroom and three longitudinal cells while the second, located a little higher is a one cell Domus precisely constructed.
The wonderful hypogean necropolis of Funtana Su Rettore, is located in the town by the same name on the Su Pranu hills, and consista of: three two-celled Domus de Janas, in good condition, rising in height from the outside to the inside. The tombs open at 234 meters above sea level on a steep porphyritic slope. The third site that can be visited is the Nuraghe Sellersu, located on the Teccu plateau in a strategic position overlooking the bay of Cea allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacular landscape. The monument, built in basalt, is in fairly good condition and consists of a main tower with circular plan, a tower to the Northwest, an access facility, and what was likely a tower to the South/Southwest.
Bari Sardo, is a small town on the Eastern coast of Sardinia, 50 meters above sea level: its territory, rich with the typical colors and scents of the Maquis shrubland, is still largely unspoiled, overlooking the sea with a coastline where long sandy beaches alternate with dramatic cliffs. The enchanting coast of Bari Sardo, which stretches for about 10 km, is characterized by a sea of crystal clear water, which is why during the last fifteen years, the town has been awarded the Blue Flag international environmental award, several times.
The real symbol of Bari Sardo is its wonderful Torre Spagnola [Spanish Tower] that, due to its beauty and grandeur, distinguishes the entire coastal area of Torre di Barì. From a small promontory it overlooks the entire coast, which it was built to defend in the seventeenth century. The region consists of the Teccu and Su Crastu basalt Plateaus, of the rolling green hills of Su Pranu e Pizzu'e Monti and of the floodplains of Pranargia and Goleri. Where the hills and plateaus meet lies the town, protected from the prevailing Mistral and Scirocco winds. In the varied beauty of the Bariese area, the main landscape point of interest is undoubtedly the Giara di Teccu which was built by fire and very ancient magma eruptions, and emerges as a dark island distinct from the other wavy morphology. Starting at the town Center, the plateau covers approximately 4 square kilometers, sloping down to the coast and diving with its dark rocks into the sea waves of the town of Punta Niedda (Black tip) and Punta Su Mastixi.
The thickness of the old magma flow is about 10 meters and becomes greater near Sa Iba Manna, the cone-shaped mouth of the flow, higher than the rest of the plateau. From the summit of Sa Iba Manna, 195 meters above sea level, it dominates the whole plateau and much of the Bari Sardo territory. Along the walls of the plateau and in much of the old magma flow, thrives dense Maquis brushland mainly characterized by the presence of oleaster, gorse and lentisk, while "wild" species of prickly pear can be admired in the rocky ravines. These plant formations are the ideal habitat for many species of wildlife, and during Spring offer a varied range of scents and colors dominated by the yellow gorse. To the South of the town, the Su Crastu hill stands isolated, smaller in size, with the same geomorphological characteristics of the greater magma flow.
To the Northwest, behind the town, the Su Pranu plateau stands 236 meters high. The most enchanting views offered in the Ogliastra area, ranging from the South towards the imposing Mont'e Ferru, and from the North towards the steep slopes of the Baunei mountains, can be enjoyed from various points of the plateau summit. Su Pranu, once cultivated and garden-like for the Bari Sardo population, is covered by tree formations dominated by cork oak, which together with other essential plants of the Maquis shrubland is the green lung of the town.The natural wetlands of Bau'e Nì and of the Liggius marshes are of particular interest for the rich and abundant flora and fauna, and depending on the season, they are the flight path of several species of migratory birds. The town center is distinguished by old rustic houses, farmhouses, Spanish towers, ancient sheep pens and villas. The town is well known for carpets, tapestries, blankets and linens textile crafts.
The celebrations dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Monserrato and Saints Michele and Girolamo, are very evocative and heartfelt. The rites and processions of religious festivals are held in September, while on the second Sunday of July, the Festival de Su Nenneri in honor of San Giovanni Battista, is celebrated. In the center of town, it is worth visiting the parish of Nostra Signora di Monserrato [Our Lady of Montserrato]. The Festival de Su Nenneri of San Giovanni Battista is celebrated the second Sunday of July.
The food products of the territory of Bari Sardo are varied and of high quality. The typical traditional foods stand out above the rest for their taste and uniqueness: the culurgionis (consisting of dough filled with potatoes, pecorino cheese and mint, hand-sealed in a pocket with a wheat sheaf decoration), sa coccoi prena (prepared with the same filling of the culurgionis, inserted into round puff pastry then pinched to form a sort of crown, and baked in the oven), the maccarones de ungras, sa coccoi (a particular red pumpkin or onion and zucchini focaccia cooked in a wood-burning oven), su pani pintau, su pistoccu e su moddizzosu. The typical cheeses are fresh or aged pecorino, ricotta, su casu ageru, su casu marzu and su cagittu, which due to centuries old tradition, are excellent and of exceptional quality. The roasts of various types of meat, cooked on a spit are also excellent, most notably, the roast de copieddu (suckling pig) and sheep. Sweets are numerous: pabassinas, panisceddas, bianchinus, pani acconciu, amarettus, gattou, and pardulas. In wood-burning ovens of the bakeries or private homes, su pani pintau (decorated bread), su pistoccu and su moddizzosu, are still prepared as they were long ago.