ANELA

Anela is a town in central-northern Sardinia located in the region known as Goceano. Its territory has an elongated shape in a transverse direction from north-west to south-east, and is considered a predominantly mountainous territory, with several reliefs that reach and exceed 1000 meters of altitude, especially in the central-northern part.

The northern border of Anela is with the territory of Nughedu San Nicolò, and is a river that takes different names depending on the location, “Riu Iscias de Trigu” and “Riu Campanas”, which delimits the two towns. This watercourse is located at an altitude that slightly exceeds 400 meters above sea level and collects the waters of numerous tributaries that originate at much higher altitudes towards the central region of the territory of Anela, the one where there are endless forests, and of which the state-owned one called “Foresta Anela”, with an extension of over 1000 hectares, is perhaps the best known.

The plant species present range from different varieties of oak, with the holm oak prevailing over the downy oak, to varieties of conifers, with for example the black pine, the Atlas cedar and the fir, but also with the presence of chestnut, beech, holly and maple.

The forest has a very high naturalistic and landscape value, impenetrable woods alternate with flat expanses and areas equipped for stops and camping, with all the services necessary for lunches in the open air.

Inside the Anela forest there is an abundance of waterways, springs and fountains, of which there are almost 40.

It is within this forest complex that the highest relief of the entire territory of Anela is found, “Punta Masiennera”, which reaches 1156 meters above sea level.

From this vast plateau, the mountains gradually slope down towards the southern region, starting from where the town was built towards the south, a place where there are also flatter expanses, which reach the lowest altimetric points, around 240 meters above sea level, in the southern border marked by the Tirso river that divides Anela from the towns of Bultei and Bono.

The long border that goes from north-east to south-east is with the territory of Bultei, while the border from north-west to south-west is with Bono.

The town of Anela extends longitudinally from north to south and is entirely crossed by the state road 128 bis that connects it to the town of Bultei to the north and to the town of Bono to the south.

The historic center is located in the north-eastern part near the current parish church of San Cosma and Damiano, and is characterized by narrow, paved streets with several murals that embellish not only this part of the town but also numerous other streets and depict scenes of daily life, festive scenes with people in traditional local dress, and scenes of working life in the fields and in the town.

Not far from the church, in the center of a small square, there is an isolated bell tower that once belonged to the old church, and a short distance away a granite fountain, both works dating back to the end of the 19th century.

Near the town hall is the Anela museum, where works are exhibited that bear witness to the town’s flourishing past.

As for the origin of the name Anela, at least two theories can be traced, both dating back to the Roman period.

The first refers to the name “Anella”, that is, the circular instrument to which horses were tied, this territory being a post station and therefore also a place of passage and rest in Roman times, who tied their animals to rings.

The second theory instead derives the name from the adjective “Anhelus”, which in Latin means “breathless”, and could refer, according to some, to the difficulties that had to be overcome to enter these impervious territories made up of almost impenetrable woods and mountains.

The economy of Anela was once based mainly on agriculture and livestock farming, while today, although there are still several crops and farms, it has seen a diversification of employment, although still linked to the exploitation of the territory.

The largest company is the cooperative “Sa Costera” employed in the processing of milk and production of cheeses of different types is a reality that embraces not only the territory of Anela but the wider region of Goceano with over 500 members providing milk from different countries.

The forest also plays an important role in the economy, with numerous workers who contribute to the maintenance and exploitation of these places of immense naturalistic and landscape value.

As regards the tourist sector, Anela offers an agritourism and some accommodation facilities where you can also stay overnight.

The parish church of Anela is dedicated to Saints Cosma and Damiano and is located in the north-west part of the town. The current structure is very recent, dating back to the late 60s of the last century and replaced a previous church dating back to the 16th-17th century, of which today only the bell tower remains, which has been restored and is located very close to the current parish church. This overlooks a square where some palm trees create a sort of path that leads to the church, which has a gabled façade in exposed granite blocks, divided into two parts by a canopy of which the lower part has only the square door, while in the upper part you can appreciate five vertical slits that act as light points. The interior is composed of a single room with a rectangular plan and with three arches that support the barrel vault, it has decorations such as mosaics and frescoes and a marble floor.

About 600 meters north of the town stands the church of Santa Maria di Mesumundu, also called the church of the Madonna delle Rose. The church dates back to the second half of the 12th century, and thanks to a document found during the restoration we know that it was consecrated in 1162. The current structure has undergone some renovations, including the façade which is now completely plastered, with a square door surmounted by an architrave and a gabled roof with a bell gable on top. The original structure, in Romanesque Gothic style, was built in trachyte blocks that can still be seen on the side walls. Both side walls have three openings for the entry of light into the building, and the right wall also has a second access door. The interior has a single nave with a gabled wooden roof and a semicircular apse with a large crucifix placed above a small vertical window.

The other country church in the territory of Anela is the one dedicated to San Giorgio di Aneletto which is located west of the town and can be reached either by car via the road that leads to the Anela forest or on foot along ancient walkways and paths once used. The church dates back to the 12th century and today what remains are only some ruins of the walls and surrounding walls that still give an idea of ​​what the original plan was like. Towards the end of the 80s of the last century it was decided to build another church dedicated to the Saint, where the rites for his celebrations could be held. It is a modern construction in exposed granite blocks that however recalls medieval structures giving the idea of ​​ancient fortifications, with a large arched door that leads to an interior composed of a single room, also in this case in exposed stone, with a gabled roof, a stone floor, and a small altar where the celebrations can be held.

The territory of Anela is rich in archaeological assets that are found especially in the northern portion, many of which are at altitudes above 600 meters. About 18 nuraghi have been discovered, including those known as “Siana”, “Tremmene”, “Sa Pruna”, “Siccadores”, “Urchinele”, “Nunnaru”.

The most important findings also from the point of view of their conservation are the domus de Janas “Sos Furrighesos”, in the homonymous location. These are 18 necropolises positioned on three levels above that start from the ground level up to 3 meters in height at the highest level.

A large number of these necropolises have decorative elements such as columns, beds, or fireplaces, some also have the representation of the roof carved in stone, others have false doors, many have red colors and elements depicting bull horns, which are all references to the regeneration of life and blood and the accompaniment of the deceased in the afterlife.

The necropolis number 9 is also known as the “Tomb of the King” and is perhaps the most characteristic because at its entrance it has a stele more than 4 meters high, with an opening that leads to a rectangular internal room full of engravings and decorations dating back to different historical periods, which testify how these hypogea have been used since the Neolithic but also in the following centuries.