Ales

Ales is in the heartland of Marmilla. It is one of the smallest Episcopal sees of Italy, with its Baroque style cathedral, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul.

The village is looked over by mount Arci, a massif of volcanic origin which is rich of obsidian fields. Obsidian is a black stone of volcanic origin that was used in the prehistoric age to to manufacture arms and utensils.

Ales territory is rich in prehistoric and nuraghic archaeological evidence, mainly connected to the abundance of that precious natural glass, which favoured the beginning and then the increase of the earliest overseas trading of Sardinia. Nevertheless, traces of the Roman and “giudicale” periods are not missing: Barumele castle remains go back to that period. Barumele was a little military outpost controlling Marmilla territory. Countess Violante II of Carroz resided there. Nowadays what remains of the manor-house are just a few ruins of one of the two towers and the legends about personages and historical events connected to it.

Furthermore, the municipality of Ales is known because it is the birth place of Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), philosopher and antifascist politician. The sculptor Giò Pomodoro dedicated a sculptural work to him in the main square of the village.

Municipality official website: www.comune.ales.or.it