Orosei is a small town with approx. 6,500 inhabitants. Until a few decades ago, the town survived almost exclusively on agriculture. However, thanks to the marble quarries in the area and an influx of tourists, the towns sources of income have somewhat diversified.
The origins of the town date back some time. The Romans chose it for its strategic location. During the Middle Ages, the port grew considerably as its trade with the continent increased. The Spaniards however put a stop to this growth.
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Today, there are no special architectural landmarks in the town as such. However, it is still worth visiting especially for the many religious festivals. Among the many celebrations we can mention:
- Sant'Antonio Abate on 16 January: the townsfolk assemble around a large bonfire while organizers serve wine, coffee and traditional cake. su pistiddu (cake with honey and flour) and pane nieddhu (flour, honey, yeast and sapa a mustard-like condiment made of wine)
- Sant'Isidoro, 15th May: a single procession held for the peasant saint Sant'Isidoro. The farmers decorate their wagons and animals and at 10.30pm they gather at the church from where the procession commences through the towns streets.
Rimedio (18 days in September): it is the towns largest party. On the first Friday in September the towns families move to a famous holy place dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It hosts several rituals initiated by the sound of the sanctuary bell ringing. Nobel Prize winner Grazia Deledda describes this feast in his most famous novel Canne al Vento .
