Belvì

Belvì is a municipality with a population of around 600 people, located in the province of Nuoro, in the centreof the mountainous Barbagiaregion. It is on the slopes of the Gennargentu massif, along Mount Genna deCrobu, where Mount Pitz'e Pranu is a dominant landscape feature, a limestone outcrop that is part of the SCI natural oasis ‘Su de Maccioni-Texile di Aritzo’. Even though it is a small village that has never exceeded 1,000inhabitants, in the past it was the hub of the economy of the entire Barbagia region, partly due to the presence of the railway station. Despite local efforts to combat social vulnerabilities, consolidate a sense of belonging and encourage economic development towards a perspective of comprehensive protection and sustainability, the town of Belvì–like many Sardinian municipalities–suffers from a demographic crisis, symptomatic of isolation, inadequate infrastructure and unemployment. Local traditions and the area's human, natural, artistic and cultural heritage make this village, surrounded by thick forests of oaks, holm oaks, holly and hazelnut trees, quite unique. The neighbouring Valle de S'I scaravalley has a wealth of orchards, rare tree species, centuries-old walnut trees and beautiful views. The Museum of Natural Science in Belvì displays the remarkable variety of fauna, and also has collections of minerals and fossils. Just outside the village are numerous Domus de Janas, prehistoric rock-hewn tombs typical of pre-Nuragic Sardinia, where tools and ceramics have been discovered dating from between the Neolithic and Ancient Roman periods.