In 2018, Ollolai rose to the fore for an at least singular proposal. The mayor of the time, Efisio Arbau, chose to sell some houses in the historic center at the symbolic price of 1 €. Two years later, the Sardinian village in the heart of Barbagia was reborn: intellectuals and entrepreneurs appeared from its old houses. Who, coming from London or New York, have found their corner of paradise here.
Ollolai, a beautiful story of rebirth
Just over 1200 inhabitants in the province of Nuoro, Ollolai is today an incredible mix of Sardinian and English. Here live the women and men who in Sardinia they were born there, and those who chose to settle on the island. The new inhabitants of Ollolai come mainly from London and New York. They are managers and professors, students and PhD students. From the houses in the center they work and study, enchanted by the landscape and regenerated by the fresh air. The credit goes to Arbau, who wanted to put thirteen houses for sale at 1 euro, asking in exchange that those houses were restored. In a short time, 2.500 requests arrived.
From 1 euro houses to reality TV
But, Ollolai, has often been talked about. Beyond the houses for 1 euro. In the village the reality show "Ollolanda": five couples have moved to the village to experience a new lifestyle and to immerse themselves in the local culture. The first edition crowned the Dutch stylists, of Iraqi origin, Marije Graafsna and Ovan Abdullah as winners. Plans for the future, however, have been put on hold by the pandemic. Or rather, they veered in another direction. Here, in that place so dear to Schwarzenegger (his best friend, Franco Colombu, was originally from Ollai), the Covid brought smart workers and digital nomads. Attracted by good food and the beauty of Barbagia, foreign citizens have been "adopted" by the inhabitants of the village. And the municipality is working to make the village a virtuous example. Ollolai will soon have coworking spaces, a multipurpose center and play areas. Because, now that he's back to life, he doesn't intend to stop.
Ollolai, a mountain village in the heart of Sardinia
Thirty kilometers from Nuoro, surrounded by mountains and forests, Ollolai owes its name to the cry that the tribes of the area used to make before the battle: "Alale". Even today, here, theart of weaving. And a fight of neuragic origin is taught. The granite houses have dark portals, the church of San Michele Arcangelo houses paintings by Carmelo Floris. And the tradition is breathed strongly, in every walk and in every festival. Mount Santu Basili protects the town, the archaeological park preserves its roots. The heritage, historical and cultural, is breathed in every corner. And it is perhaps for this reason that anyone who arrives here falls in love with Ollolai.
