A walk through the abandoned village of Arridavu

The abandoned hamlet of Arìddavu was established on an archaeological site on the site of a prehistoric village, the footings of which can still be made out.

The landforms around this flat area feature numerous converted rock shelters and the remains of Bronze Age fortifications. The current hamlet dates from the 19th century only.

It is said to have been founded, according to oral tradition, by the Mari family. In 1870, on the land register, 13 buildings and two bread ovens are reported. The school welcomed more than fifty pupils at the beginning of the 20th century, mainly the children of shepherds from the surrounding countryside. There was no church or cemetery in Arìddavu.

The dead were carried on men’s backs on the bara (mortuary board) to Ghjunchetu for burial.

The opening of the road below the village disrupted the ancient routes and created other needs.

In addition, there was no nearby spring.The women would fetch water from Santu Pultru. Arìddavu was gradually deserted at the dawn of the 2nd World War. In 1936, the schoolteacher, who was the only resident at the time, left the village for good.