Neoneli (Neunele in Sardinian) is an Italian commune of about 640 inhabitants in the province of Oristano in Sardinia, in the historical region of Barigadu, whose territory covers 48 sq. km.
An area inhabited since pre-Nuragic and Nuragic times due to the presence in the territory of some domus de janas and some nuraghi, in the Middle Ages it belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea and was part of the curatoria of Parte Barigadu. At the fall of the giudicato (1420) it came under Aragonese rule. It was given as a fief to the De Jana family until 1462, and then to Da Silva who owned it under the title of counts of Montesanto until the 18th century. In 1774, during the Savoy era, it formed a marquisate, granted as a feud to Peter Ripoll. The fief remained with the Ripolls until 1837, when it passed to the Sanjusts through the marriage of Maria Angela Ripoll and Carlo Enrico Sanjust, baron of Teulada. The village was redeemed to the last feudal lords in 1839, with the abolition of the feudal system.
Today it has a lovely old town that, well-preserved as it is, boasts a charm reminiscent of Provençal villages, and some breathtaking viewpoints that allow the view to sweep all the way to the sea. Its distinctive pink trachyte cottages add extra excitement to the ancient network of narrow streets that contain them all. All around, as far as the eye can see, verdant countryside: capable of offering different sensations in accordance with the seasons.
Rich in excitement are the main religious festivals, carnival, the Licanias cultural festival and the Wine, Fregula and Cassola food and wine event; very renowned is the tenor singing in
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performed by various ensembles and for forty-five years by the renowned Coro Cultura Popolare Tenores di Neoneli.
Each of the 377 municipalities in Sardinia holds an important cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, and it must be the task of each community to enhance its beauty and peculiarities.
In this sense, Monumenti Aperti, the most important event in Sardinia dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of cultural heritage, has for years been an example and a tool to increase in every citizen, starting with the youngest ones who act as guides, the awareness of the cultural riches we have and at the same time make them known to those who come to visit us.
