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Ulassai is a town in the centre of the Ogliastra territory, at an altitude of about 2.624 ft, but a short distance from the beaches of the east coast. This territory encompasses a variegated landscape, ranging from the typical “tacchi”, rocky massifs of limestone origin, to the “Su Marmuri”, caves full of slow but steady-growing stalactites and stalagmites; this area also includes the very high and spectacular waterfalls of Lequarci, and the oak and strawberry tree woods of Taccu Plateau. Several important works of art by Maria Lai (Ulassai, 27 September 1919 – Cardedu, 16 April 2013), and other contemporary artists have been inserted into this peculiar and evocative environment.

In 2006, the town’s old railway station was turned into the “Art Station”: a museum for some works of art donated by Maria Lai to the local community of Ulassai. As mentioned before, some other creations of this artist are also currently exhibited all over the area, in what may be considered as a real open-air museum. Visitors can thus admire masterpieces like “La scarpata” (1993), the decorations along the road to S. Barbara, at the southern entrance to the town (“La strada del rito” and “Le capre cucite” – 1993), and “Legasi alla Montagna” (1981).

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)