The Sardinian Open Air Museum

The Sardinian Open Air Museum S’Abba Frisca  is in the Littu Valley in the territory of Dorgali. S’Abba Frisca means fresh water, acknowledging the park’s ever-abundant spring which feeds into fountains, a small lake and tall cascades set amongst majestic white poplars.

Just two kilometres from beautiful coastal scenery along the Gulf of Orosei, S’Abba Frisca has an impressive setting, with giant-stone paths and a dense grove of evergreen oaks, as well as citrus trees and other centuries-old trees that provide shade and keep the air cool even on the hottest of summer days.

S’Abba Frisca it’s one of firsts things to do in Cala Gonone, Dorgali and Orosei. One of the best attractions in Sardinia for families.

Once you go through the eye-catching basalt stone entrance, there are 350 metres of pathways where you can enjoy and examine over 400 species from the Mediterranean maquis, among them plants for dyeing and for aromatic and medicinal essences. Their properties, uses and peculiarities are described during the tours.

You can get to know a variety of animals living in the park such as miniature donkeys (including white donkeys from Asinara Island), a hinny (rarely-seen hybrid offspring of a male horse and female donkey), and as you continue there are goats and horses and species in and around the little lake such as mallards and other ducks, waterhen and tortoises, among many others.

Tied to the natural side of the tour and underlining the close link of mankind to nature, there is an ethnographic side of the tour about people in their environment. It’s an extensive journey through Sardinian history in displays and crafts, a cross-section of Barbagian (central Sardinian) culture from the 17th century to the early decades of the 20th century detailed in 4,500 items in 15 museum areas.

After the tour is completed and you have discovered more about the nature, knowledge, customs and costumes of Sardinia, then you can taste the region’s most authentic flavours. Your experience at the park museum can be capped by a degustation of local produce such as salami and other pork products, cheeses, olives, wine and Sardinian crisp flat bread (pane carasau), made here at S’Abba Frisca farm and by small-scale producers in the territory around us.

Exclusive farm holidays with the sea nearby

Built in 2021 in modern rustic style, it will let you discover a more authentic side of Sardinia and its slower rhythms of life, a short step away from the magnificent seashore of the Gulf of Orosei and a long way from hectic city life. A stay here is made even more exclusive by its location, inside the historic estate of S’Abba Frisca Park Museum.

Guests at Villa Capelvenere can go into the farm to pick vegetables, collect eggs from the hens, or just to pat animals.

For a more immersive experience you can take part in farm life in activities