The Murals of Orgosolo, Sardinia

Murales are contemporary wall paintings found in towns and villages throughout Sardinia. The most famous are those in Orgosolo, a town nestled in the Supramonte Mountains in the Barbagia region, deep in Sardinia’s mountainous heartland. For generations, Orgosolo has carried a somewhat notorious reputation as a stronghold of criminals, bandits, and rebels.
The first murals appeared in 1975. Since then, they have addressed local, national, and international issues, offering critical perspectives on social and political developments and injustices. Many of the paintings are influenced by Cubism, giving them a distinctive artistic character.
Francesco Del Casino, an artist originally from Siena, is widely regarded as the founding father of Orgosolo’s mural tradition. The paintings begin on large rocks along the roads leading into town and continue throughout its streets and squares. A leisurely walk through Orgosolo offers a fascinating opportunity to discover these colorful works of art and the stories they tell.
An overview of the murals can be found on the Italian website Murales in Sardegna.

More Photos in the Sardinia Gallery.