Borutta

Borutta: a medieval jewel in the heart of the Meilogu, amid history, faith and ancient traditions

Borutta is a small village in the Meilogu, in the heart of northern Sardinia, known for its imposing Abbey of San Pietro di Sorres, its spirituality-laden silences and peasant traditions such as the Festa de su Brou. If you are wondering what to see in Borutta, get ready for a journey through time between history, nature and faith.

✅ Origins and meaning of the name

Borutta's roots go back to the Recent Neolithic, as testified by the finds discovered in the nearby Ulàri Cave, inhabited since 3500 BC. In medieval times, the village was known as Gruta, a Latin term meaning “cave”, probably referring to the presence of the cave itself. With time, the name changed to Borutta, perhaps due to a simple phonetic exchange of the initial consonants.

✅ A village with noble origins: the Bastida di Sorres

Borutta is not just a village, it is a garrison of memory. Its identity is rooted in a turbulent Middle Ages, during which it became the scene of the construction of the Bastida di Sorres: a fortification erected in the 14th century by the Aragonese next to the cathedral of San Pietro, to guard the disputed territory during the war with the Sardinian giudicati.

Today, Bastida no longer exists physically, but it lives on in stories, historical studies and evocative local re-enactments. The most recent archaeological and documentary investigations, including those promoted by the Department of History of the University of Sassari and the Catalan-Aragonese archival sources, make it possible to locate its position with good precision near the abbey of San Pietro di Sorres itself. In particular, it is hypothesised that it rose on the hillock to the north-east of the monastery, in a strategic position dominating the valley and the medieval road system. This fortified citadel was the scene of bitter conflicts and became one of the symbols of the resistance of the Sardinian giudicati against the Aragonese conquest, before being destroyed in 1334.

✅ Borutta and San Pietro di Sorres: an indissoluble bond between faith, history and identity

Not far from the village stands the majestic Basilica di San Pietro di Sorres, one of the most extraordinary examples of Romanesque-Pisan architecture in Sardinia. Its construction, which has deeply marked the history of Borutta, is due to the figure of Blessed Goffredo da Meleduno, a French Cistercian monk and Bishop of Sorres from 1171 to 1178. It was he who promoted the construction of the Romanesque basilica of San Pietro di Sorres, today the spiritual and architectural symbol of the area, which was completed in the first half of the 13th century. His tomb, located in the left aisle of the basilica, is still today a pilgrimage and devotional destination, adorned with a sarcophagus sculpted with his effigy.
His legacy goes beyond the material work: he contributed to forging the identity of Borutta, transforming it into a place of memory, faith and rebirth.

✅ San Pietro di Sorres: spirituality, art and rebirth

After centuries of neglect following the suppression of the Diocese of Sorres in 1503, to be merged with that of Sassari, in 1950 the basilica and the adjoining former episcopate were entrusted to the Benedictine monks of Parma, thanks to the intervention of the archbishop of Sassari, Mons. Arcangelo Mazzottiand the mayor of Borutta, Ninetta Bartoli. The latter, elected in 1946 as the first woman mayor of Italy, was actively involved in the restoration of the monastery complex, even investing personal funds. In 1955, a community of Benedictine monks settled in the monastery, bringing spiritual and cultural life back to the site.

Today, with the arrival of a new generation of Vietnamese monks, this bond has been strengthened in a contemporary key. Despite coming from a distant culture, the new religious have become deeply integrated into the Borutese community, proving that faith, hospitality and sharing are universal languages.

Every visit to Borutta, therefore, is also a journey to Sorres: an encounter with stone and spirit, with history and silence. A place that welcomes, speaks to the heart and bears witness to how a small village can contain a great heritage.

✅ Festa de su Brou: an archaic ritual between agriculture and spirituality

Borutta celebrates one of the most significant festivals in central Sardinia: the Festa de su Brou, a community rite of ancient origin, reborn in 2012. Originally linked to the liturgical time of Corpus Christi, the feast involved the distribution of a meat broth - of Vitella - by the Bishop of Sorres, as a propitiatory gesture for the harvest, combining nourishment and blessing.

Once celebrated during the Octave of Corpus Christi, the feast was a moment of strong symbolic and communitarian value, in which a simple meal - based on tender meat, vegetables and local bread - represented unity between the faithful, earth and sky.

✅ What to see in Borutta: art, faith and memory

• Abbazia di San Pietro di Sorres: a masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque from the 12th century, nestled in a breathtaking landscape. It is home to a Benedictine community that also takes care of visits and cultural activities. Attached to the monastery is a guesthouse: spaces dedicated to the hospitality typical of the Benedictine tradition. Hospitality includes overnight stay in half board or full board or lunch service only, in case the guest decides to stay for an entire day in the Monastery.

  It is possible to stay in the Monastery's guest quarters all year round.

• Sardinian Monasticism Museum: The museum tour is spread over two floors and divided into different sections that illustrate the history of the Sorres site from the earliest stages of evangelisation to the present day. Inside, you can admire works of religious art from various eras, a numismatic collection of considerable interest, and numerous architectural artefacts from the former bishop's palace and from the late 19th century restoration of the cathedral church.

  ✔️ Opening hours and visits:

  At present, the museum does not have regular opening hours and visits are generally organised on the occasion of special events or by appointment. For detailed information, please consult the official website of the Municipality of Borutta.

• Borutta's historical centre: with its trachyte houses, it is perfect for a stroll through rural architecture, historic fountains and hidden corners, vivid murals telling the story of rural life.

  

• Ulàri Cave: located on the slope below the Romanesque church of San Pietro di Sorres, just opposite the village of Borutta, the cave opens in a limestone outcrop dating back to the Miocene, between 7 and 12 million years ago.

  ✔️ The cave welcomes visitors with two entrances leading to a main tunnel about 190 metres long, slightly uphill, and several secondary branches that bring the total extension to over 350 metres. But the real treasure of the Ulàri Cave is the secret life it holds: as many as five different species of bats live and breed inside, making it a precious and protected ecosystem. Precisely because of its naturalistic richness, the cavity has been recognised as a Site of Community Interest (S.I.C.) and today access is regulated by a gate, to protect this extraordinary habitat and ensure its preservation. A place suspended between geology, nature and mystery, which tells of the most hidden and authentic Sardinia.

✅ Important and unmissable events

• Festa de su Brou: symbol of sharing and auspiciousness - From the end of May to mid-June.
  After a long period of oblivion, the festival was revived in 2012 thanks to the initiative of the municipal administration and the local religious communities. The Festa de su Brou, according to Borutese tradition, is held between Ascension Day and Pentecost, that is, the Sunday between these two festivities and thus between the end of May and mid-June, depending on the date of Easter.

  ✔️ Unfolding of the feast:
  The celebration begins with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, which starts from the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in the centre of Borutta. The procession, accompanied by knights, confraternities, folk groups and the faithful, heads towards the Basilica of San Pietro di Sorres.
  Once at the basilica, solemn Vespers are celebrated followed by Holy Mass, presided over by the Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of San Pietro di Sorres and concelebrated together with the parish priest of Borutta, the priests of the Forania di Sorres and the entire monastic community of the abbey.
  At the end of the religious celebrations, the participants return to the village, where the traditional meat broth (su brou), prepared according to ancient custom with the meat of a heifer, is offered to all, as a gesture of sharing and community.
  

• La Bastida di Sorres: una rievocazione storica di una battaglia – Data: variabile (solitamente ad agosto).
  On the hill of San Pietro di Sorres, amidst ancient stones and the silence of the woods, La Bastida comes to life, an extraordinary historical re-enactment that takes visitors back to 1334, the year in which the Doria family attempted to reconquer the fortress of Sorres that had fallen into the hands of the Aragonese. Leading the clash, faithfully reconstructed by figurants in armour, is Brancaleone Doria.

  The medieval camp comes alive with workshops, weapons forged on the spot, naturally coloured textiles, performances by acrobats and musicians, courtly dances and the majestic flight of birds of prey, guided by the falconer. Visitors can watch the dressing of a knight, the public trial of a confessed criminal and immerse themselves in the sounds, scents and crafts of the 14th century.

  The experience is completed with guided tours of the Sa Rocca Ulàri cave, home to the largest colony of bats in Sardinia, the monastery library - a treasure trove of over 60,000 volumes - and the Sorres Cathedral Museum. A true journey through time, between history, legend and medieval magic.

  The re-enactment of the Bastida di Sorres is usually organised in August, but the dates may vary from year to year.

  

✅ Annual Calendar of Festivals and Events in Borutta

✔️ March

• Binos in Beranu

  Date: March

  Description: A food and wine event celebrating authentic Sardinian wine and flavours, with tastings of local excellence in a convivial and festive atmosphere.

✔️ May

• Feast of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii

  Date: 8 may

  Description: Religious celebration in honour of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii, with liturgical functions and moments of community devotion.

✔️ June

• Festa de su Brou (Feast of the Octave of Corpus Christi)

  Date: between Ascension Sunday and Pentecost Sunday (closely linked to the date of Easter)

• Feast of St Peter of Sorres

  Date: 29 june

  Description: Celebration of the patron saint with a procession in costume and on horseback from the parish of Borutta to the monastery of the same name, accompanied by religious and folklore events.

✔️ July

• Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

  Date: 22 july

  Description: Patronal feast with religious celebrations, processions and community gatherings

✔️ August - or other month

• Historical re-enactment of the battle at Bastida di Sorres
  Date: variable

✔️ September

• Feast of Our Lady of Cea

  Date: 8 settembre

  Description: Religious celebration at the rural shrine surrounded by nature, with moments of spiritual recollection and encounter between generations.

✔️ These events offer a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture, history and traditions of Borutta, making it an ideal destination for those wishing to discover the authenticity of Sardinia.

✅ Traditional handicrafts in Borutta

Borutta, despite being a small village in the Meilogu, retains a deep craft tradition that reflects the culture and history of Sardinia.

✔️ Traditional Weaving and Clothing

• Weaving is one of the most deeply rooted arts in Sardinian culture. Although there are no unique productions exclusively attributed to Borutta, the village participates in the regional tradition in the production of textiles such as orbace, a felted woollen cloth used to make traditional men's clothing, such as “sa berrita” and “is ragas”.

✔️ Murals and Handicraft Representations

• The historical centre of Borutta has recently been embellished with murals depicting scenes of daily life and ancient crafts, such as women spinning wool. These representations not only beautify the village, but also testify to the importance of manual arts in local history.

✅ Borutta's Food and Wine Tradition

The cuisine of Borutta is an authentic expression of Sardinian tradition, with dishes and desserts that tell stories of community and culture.

✔️ Typical dishes

• Su Pane Untinadu: This traditional dish consists of bread placed in the fireplace under a spit on which pieces of lard and sausage are roasted. The bread becomes impregnated with the cooking drippings, acquiring a rich and intense flavour. It is a local speciality that represents the simplicity and authenticity of Borutta cuisine.

  Although the sources do not specify exactly the type of bread used, it is plausible that it is a traditional bread from Logudoro, such as the “pane 'e poddine” (or bread from Ozieri) which means “bread of the comari”: characterised by a flat, round shape and a soft, firm texture, ideal for being warmed and impregnated with the flavours of cooking.

✔️ Traditional Desserts

At the household level, several typical Sardinian desserts are prepared in Borutta, including:

• Pabassinos: Desserts made with sultanas, walnuts and almonds.

• Tericas: Traditional biscuits, often flavoured with aniseed.

• Casadinas: Desserts filled with fresh cheese and lemon peel.

• Anicinos: Aniseed biscuits, fragrant and light.

• Galletinas: Simple biscuits, ideal with coffee.

• Pabassinos Moddhes: A variant of pabassinos, with ingredients and preparations specific to the area.

In addition, they prepare special breads such as:

• Cozulas de Berdas: Traditional bread, often decorated and prepared for special occasions.

• Cozulas de Regotu: Bread enriched with ricotta cheese, with a delicate and unique flavour.

✅ Why visit Borutta

Choosing Borutta means immersing yourself in an authentic corner of the oldest Sardinia, where every stone tells a story. Whether you want to explore the wonders of the Abbey of San Pietro di Sorres, sleep in its scenic guesthouse, or participate in events such as the Festa de su Brou and the historical re-enactment of the battle at the Bastida di Sorres, this village will give you true, slow and deep emotions.

✅ Bibliography and sitography for more detailed information

• Rassu, G. (1994). San Pietro di Sorres. La rinascita di un’abbazia. Soter Editrice.
• Cabiddu, M. (2022). Sorres e i monaci. Sardegna Cultura.
• Historical Archive of the Curia of Sassari.
• Regione Autonoma della Sardegna – Sistema Informativo Regionale Ambientale e Territoriale.
• Italy's Most Beautiful Villages - Borutta.
• Borutta Municipality - Official site.
• Visit Sardegna – Borutta.
• Interviews and documentation by the Pro Loco Borutta (2023).
• Articles and press releases from the historical pageants 2019-2024.
• Documents on “Su Brou” and Benedictine tradition: Monastic Archives of Sorres.
• Park authorities and regional speleologists - nature dossier on “Sa Rocca Ulari”.
• [La cucina sarda – Antonella Speranza, Newton Compton Editori, 2018].
• Sardegna Agricoltura – Pane di Ozieri (pane ‘e poddine).
• Slow Food – Pane tradizionale sardo.
• Website of the Region of Sardinia - Traditional bakery products.
• Historical Archive of the Diocese of Sassari.
• Oral testimonies collected by the cultural association “Borutta Antiga”.
• Local ethnographic research published in Sardegna Mediterranea (regional magazine, issues 2012-2023).
• Historical liturgical calendar (cf. vatican.va) and liturgical information from the CEI website chiesacattolica.it.
• Interviews and articles published in the newspaper La Nuova Sardegna (Borutta editions, years 2012, 2015, 2017, 2024).
• turismo.comune.borutta.ss.it