Monte Albo (in SardinianMonti Arvu) is a massif falling mainly within the areas of Lula and Siniscola and partially those of Galtellì, Irgoli, Loculi and Lodè. The area is part of the historical region of the Baronìe, in central-eastern Sardinia, in the province of Nuoro.
The Monte takes its name from the clear limestone rocks and it has a long ridge, extending for around twenty kilometres, with an average height of more than 1,000 m a.s.l.
Its highest peaks are Punta Turuddò and Punta Catirina, both at a height of 1,127 m a.s.l. The karstic sinkhole known as Sa Tumba ‘e Nurai can be found between the two peaks. In addition to this, under P.ta Catirinia the cave of Janna Manna, stretching for 200 metres, opens up.
Rich in gorges and caverns, vertical walls and deep ravines, the Monte Albo is referred to as the “Sardinian Dolomites”.
The Monte is a natural habitat for the mouflon, the boar, the marten and wild cat. Birds worth mentioning include the golden eagle, the Goshawk, the common raven and the rare red-billed chough. Also found here is the endemic amphibian, the Monte Albo cave salamander (Stefani’s salamander, 1969).
Its flora includes rare shrubs like the king’s spear and various endemisms like bluebells, sweet rocket, long-toothed lettuce, lavender cotton and wild hop. For this particular species, the Italian Botanical Society added Monte Albo to its list of places of national interest.
This area has been inhabited by humans since ancient times and its caves have often been used as shelters. Iron swords and daggers were found in the one known as Bona Fraule.
Humans inhabited the mountain from as early as Neolithic times, as is clear from the domu de Janas of Mannu ‘e Gruris. There are also various Nuragic remains like the Nuraghe Littu Ertiches. A bronze statue of the god Esculapio was found dating from the Roman era.
The mountain is popular with hikers with different routes clearly marked.
The area is part of the Site of Community Importance (SCI) “Monte Albo” (ITB021107) regulated by the Rete Natura 2000.
