Aggius is an enchanting village, almost magical, located in High Gallura and surrounded by a crown of granitic multishaped rocks where people have always seen profiles and signs to be interpreted, even in a spiritual sense. The place’s name could derive from the greek “Aghios” (holy/sacred), from the Latin “Agnus” (lamb), because of the former presence of sheepfolds, or even from “A-jius”, (unlawful/outlaw), to underline the rebel and independent attitude of its local inhabitants.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
Weaving
Renowned for its textile handworks, Aggius is the place where Maria Lai’s lively works stand out. She was a well-known Sardinian artist of great expressivity and self-confidence who, fascinated by the local traditions, created works of art which she then offered to the township.
Symbols of white and black magic decorate the dazzling carpets shown in the areas of the Ethnographic Museum, where you can find also a few looms usually employed by women who keep alive the traditional art of weaving.
Tasgjia
If you and the others truly love me, kidnap me tonight, and bring me to Aggius (…), so that every dawn Gallura’s Cock may wake me up”.
Thus Gabriele d’Annunzio was used to address his friends while writing about Aggius’s chorus, so deep was his feeling toward the landscape and the tasgjia, an ancient and celebrated local chant. From the solo singer comes the melody and tunes in which the other four voices intervene.
Museums
Aggius hosts the largest ethnographic museum of Sardinia, partially situated within the old Post Office, where a local lady used to teach reading and writing with the help of letters specially woven for that purpose.
You can also find the Bandit Museum (the village is “worthy” of one of the most bloody family fights in Sardinia), which offers a permanent exposition of weapons and historical garments as well as a collection of documents and judicial acts that bear witness to centuries of criminal activities.
LANDSCAPE
The surroundings consist of suggestive places and tracks. Pathways leading to Capitza Park, on the sightseeing road, or towards the Moon Valley, wide plateau full of amazing granite rocks, or around Pulchiana, the biggest erratic stone in Europe, are extremely interesting.