The municipality of Morgongiori includes in its territory a good part of the splendid Mount Arci massif. Among its peaks, the suggestive “Head of the warrior” stands out, an out-and-out natural sculpture modelled by the wind and the atmospheric agents. The toponym of Morgongiori derives by the particular conformation of the village, surrounded by rocky walls: in fact Morgongiori means “town of the stones”.
Mount Arci, rich in century-old oaks, holm-oaks, lentisks and sweet-smelling pot-herbs woods, is also extremely rich in fields of obsidian, a black glass of volcanic origin, termed as “the Sardinian black gold” for its easy working. Many archaeological finds prove the presence of settlements, having origine in prehistory for the working of this precious material: Prabanta necropolis, which includes Su Furconi de Luxia Arrabiosa (Mount Arci’s legendary personage) and two small domus de janas, called Su Forru and Su Stabi de Luxia Arrabiosa.
Another interesting site is Sa Domu 'e is Caombus (the house of pigeons), that is situated above the village, at the foot of a big cross. It is a great crevice in the ground, whereby two flight of stairs curl immersed in total darkness. They probably led to a nuraghic epoch temple, where legend has it that mysterious rites were practised. To be allowed to visit Sa Domu 'e is Caombus is necessary to ask the Monuments and Fine Arts Department (Sovrintendenza archeologica) of Cagliari or Oristano for permission.
The historic centre is characterized by ancient houses in trachyte stone and black basalt, adorned by great portals, usually decorated with typical friezes.
The best of breed of Morgongiori’s handicraft are textiles products, realized following ancient weaving techniques. Carpets, hangings and other valuable piece, such as traditional looms, are today kept in the textile art (living) Museum.
The second typical production of Morgongiori is the one of lorighittas, particular hard grain pastry, having the shape of spaghetti so much plaited that they become a sort of piece of embroidery, finally closed like a ring on one's fingers. Every year, the first Sunday of August, Morgongiori dedicates to lorighittas a feast, meta of very many visitors.
Among the numerous feasts organized in Morgongiori, there are the celebrations in honour of St. Anthony Abbot (16th and 17th of January) and the festival of St. Isidoro, patron saint of farmers (15th of May), for whom there is a procession with horses and oxen, decked with collars in a kind of damask in arabesques of dyed floral pattern, realized following ancient techniques, generally going to form trousseaus for brides.
Municipality web site: www.comune.morgongiori.or.it
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