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History & Fun Facts

The Secrets
of Arzana

4 curiosities and stories

01

Punta La Marmora: the roof of Sardinia

At 1,834 metres above sea level, Punta La Marmora is the highest peak in all of Sardinia. Arzana is the municipality that comes closest to it from the Ogliastran side, and from here trails depart that lead all the way to the summit through dwarf juniper woodlands, high-altitude pastures, and scenery of absolute Alpine grandeur — unusual for a Mediterranean island. The mountain takes its name from the Piedmontese explorer and military officer Alberto Ferrero della Marmora, who carried out the first topographical surveys in the nineteenth century. Reaching the summit is an experience that changes the way one looks at the island.

02

The Montarbu forest: a primordial ecosystem

The state forest of Montarbu, shared between the territories of Arzana and Seui, is one of the most important and best-preserved forested areas in Sardinia. Within it grow thousand-year-old yews — some among the oldest in Europe — monumental holm oaks, downy oaks, hollies, and maples. The fauna is extraordinarily rich: golden eagles, mouflon, wild boar, Sardinian foxes, and a remarkable variety of birds of prey. The ecosystem has characteristics of exceptional ecological integrity, with plant species that are relics of the Tertiary era surviving thanks to the territory's isolation and conservation.

03

The Piscina Irgas waterfall: hidden water

Among the best-kept secrets of the Arzana territory is the Piscina Irgas waterfall, a natural wonder reachable only via a trail immersed in the forest. The water falls into a large natural pool of ice-cold, crystal-clear water, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and lush vegetation that filters sunlight to create extraordinary light effects. The difficulty of the route and its remoteness from any road make it a destination for motivated hikers, who are rewarded with a natural spectacle of rare beauty and total solitude.

04

Blue Zone and longevity: the secret of a long life

Arzana falls within the Sardinian Blue Zone, the geographical belt of Ogliastra and Barbagia identified by researchers as one of the five areas in the world with the highest concentration of centenarians. Scholars have linked this phenomenon to factors such as the traditional diet — rich in vegetables, legumes, pecorino cheese, and Cannonau wine — daily physical activity, social cohesion, and a deep sense of purpose tied to pastoral and agricultural work. In Arzana these elements are still alive and embedded in the fabric of everyday community life.

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