Ten lesser-known spots to see in Sardinia if you love street art and urbex
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This month I’ve been working remotely from a little village in Sardinia, Italy, switching between job assignments and day trips to abandoned places, former industrial sites, and many new and old murals, as Sardinia’s old mural art tradition has no equal in Europe.
Here are 10 lesser-known spots in Sardinia for street art and urbex lovers (more on the blog soon!)
L’Argentiera, a former argentiferous mine exploited since Roman times and closed down in 1963. Industrial archaeology at its best, with a secret beach and contemporary art installations.
Aggius, a mountain village with a significant public art collection, thanks to AAAperto Museo. Here you can find both urban art and contemporary artworks by Maria Lai. Moreover, you can visit the Museum of Banditry and the MAOC, the biggest ethnographic museum in Sardinia.
The abandoned USAF (United States Air Force) radio base on top of Limbara Mountain. This military site worked between 1966 and 1993, and it has been neglected ever since. There are a few street art pieces, many messages written on walls by locals reclaiming their island, and a breathtaking view.
A piece by Buff Monster and more street art in Olbia, mainly around the train station.
Via Fontevecchia is where you will find urban art in Castelsardo. At the top of the street, there is a delicious bakery; have a slice of focaccia thinking of me ;)
Traditional mural art in Orgosoloarose in the 1970s to spread political and social messages inspired by Marxism. In Orgosolo and other villages in central Sardinia, murals were painted with the belief that they should engage the community and make a difference in the lives of locals, who were directly involved in the realization of the murals.
Graffiti in Nuoro (near the stadium) and more street art around the city. Nuoro is also home to the excellent contemporary art museum MAN.
Thanks to the Festival della Resilienza, Macomer boasts an excellent street art collection alongside many archaeological sites, historical buildings, and a stunning natural landscape. Macomer is also an ideal destination for industrial archaeology: all abandoned factories are along the same street, Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour.
Sassari is highly recommended, too! Lots of great street art by top-notch Italian artists such as BLU and Ericailcane. This time I haven’t come back, but I visited the nearby village of Osilo to check out a few pieces by street artist Sardomuto.
I'm a writer who is specialised in street art and graffiti. Since 2011 I have run this independent street art blog, which has been the media partner of important street art festivals around Europe. I create content for creative enterprises and museums, and my writing was published in street art catalogues and art publications.
