Ollolai is a comune at the centre of Barbagia, in the province of Nuoro (Sardinia, Italy). Its territory covers an area of 2,734 hectares (6,760 acres).
Ollolai
Ollollai | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Ollolai | |
 | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Ollolai  | |
  Ollolai Location of Ollolai in Sardinia  Ollolai Ollolai (Sardinia) | |
| Coordinates: 40°10′8″N 9°10′45″E / 40.16889°N 9.17917°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Province | Nuoro (NU) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Francesco Columbu |
| Area | |
• Total | 27.34 km2 (10.56 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 970 m (3,180 ft) |
| Population (31 July 2016)[2] | |
• Total | 1,289 |
| • Density | 47/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Ollolaesi (Ollolaèsos in Sardinian) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 08020 |
| Dialing code | 0784 |
| Patron saint | St. Michael Archangel |
| Saint day | 29 September |
| Website | Official website |
It is the main town of the Barbagia di Ollolai.
Places of interest
editArchitecture
editThe main square of the village was created in the early 20th century by diverting the stream that crossed it. Inside it lies a church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, which contains paintings by Carmelo Floris in the apse as well as a crucifix painted by Franco Bussu, an inhabitant of Ollolai. The oldest part of the church is a chapel dedicated to St. Bartholomew.
Near the town centre, there is another church dedicated to Anthony of Padua, where the Feast of Saint Anthony is traditionally held along with a lighting of a bonfire.
A few kilometres (miles) from the village towards the valley, there lies a church dedicated to Saint Peter, rebuilt in the 1970s after the demolition of a Romanesque church.
In a valley surrounded by granite peaks lies a church dedicated to Basil of Caesarea, built by the Basilian monks and used, after the expulsion of the Basilians, by the Franciscans. The adjoining convent was built later.
Water features
editThe town is abundant in water features. The most famous is Gupunnio, the source of which is in the centre of the village, and was recently renamed Regina Fontium. There is also the fountain of Su Sapunadorju, and a few hundred metres (feet) from the town, Su Puthu, which was once used as a watering hole.
Population decline and 2024 U.S. election
editSince 1925, Ollolai's population declined from 2,250 to 1,150 residents as families left for economic reasons. Following the 2024 United States presidential election, the town announced it would offer homes in need of renovation for one euro to Americans wishing to relocate to Ollolai. The town also offers free temporary homes to digital nomads and ready-to-occupy houses for up to 100,000 euros ($105,000). Ollolai's mayor said the town received 38,000 requests in the weeks following the election.[3][4]
People
edit- Michele Columbu, leader of the Sardinian Action Party (Sardinian nationalist party)
- Franco Columbu (no relation), two time Mr. Olympia
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, honorary citizen of Ollolai [5]
References
edit
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
- ^ Marchetti, Silvia (19 November 2024). "Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans upset by the US election result". CNN. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Begley Bloom, Laura (20 November 2024). "Leave The U.S.: A Village In Italy Is Selling Homes For $1 To Americans". CNN. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger cittadino onorario di Ollolai - Regione - la Nuova Sardegna". 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
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