Traditional Sardinian building
“Lu Stazzu Gaddùresu”
the history and distinctive features of a truly unique property
The Gallurese Stazzo has been at the heart of agri-pastoral life for hundreds of years.
Today, “Lu Stazzu Gaddùresu” is one of the hallmarks of the historic region of Gallura.
The term “Stazzo” refers to the entire estate. It comprised the owner’s residence and a substantial plot of land, which covered as much as 300 hectares.
These estates were mainly built in the open countryside and formed the heart of rural life.
The civilisation of the stazzi was self-sufficient: the shepherd-farmers who lived there were entirely self-sufficient and lived off their crops and sheep farming.
A group of Stazzi formed the “Cussogghja”, a geographical and social entity bound together by very strong ties of friendship and cooperation. Each “Cussogghja” was centred on a rural church, which served as a meeting place and focal point for the community.
The emergence of the stazzi civilisation
The first Stazzi were established at the end of the 17th century. Feuds and political unrest led many Corsican shepherds to leave their island and seek refuge in Gallura.
It was during the same period that the Gallurese dialect also emerged, a Sardinian dialect that has been strongly influenced by Corsican.
Many dialects are still spoken in Sardinia today: Gallurese, Cagliaritano, Logudorese (and many others), all of which are very different from one another.
These residences underwent significant development throughout the 19th century and reached their peak around 1850.
Until then, the population had lived only in the countryside of the hinterland.
Coastal areas were regarded as unsafe places with barren land, and were therefore bequeathed to women.
From the end of the 18th century, this trend saw a sharp reversal. In fact, there was an increase in migration from the villages to the coast, which had by then become safer.
