From the Church of Solitude to the Redeemer (G-101)

Ortobene (Orthobene) is a granite mountain covering about 1600 hectares, partly owned by the municipality of Nuoro and partly by private individuals. Approximately 860 hectares are managed in various capacities by the Forest Agency of Sardinia. The mountain (called Su Monte by the people of Nuoro) has fascinating granite rock formations including hollows, tafoni, etc..

The highest peak is Cuccuru Nigheddu, 955 m asl. From the slopes to the summit, the elevation range is about 800 m, which means that the vegetation is rich and varied: there are dense holm-oak woods with scattered pubescent and cork oaks, as well as garrigue and scrubland, which developed as a result of fires and consist mainly of rockrose, broom, artemisia arborescens (tree wormwood), heather, strawberry trees and mastic (lentisk). The meadows and clearings are home to beautiful wild orchids, while the undergrowth is dotted with cyclamens, butcher’s broom, ferns and, in favourable seasons, many types of mushrooms. 

The superb holm oak woods that existed until the 19th century have been almost entirely destroyed by indiscriminate felling and recurring fires, culminating in the catastrophic event of 1971 that destroyed over 600 hectares of wood and scrubland. There are small, mainly seasonal watercourses with riparian vegetation of willows, poplars and occasionally alders and ash trees, as well as many springs that, albeit small, have good quality water.

Some bare areas have been replanted with various forest species, mainly conifers, since the 1930s.
The fauna is also quite rich and includes among the mammals: wild boar, wild cat, Sardinian hare, marten, fox, weasel, dormouse and others. Birds include birds of prey such as the Sardinian goshawk, sparrow hawk, buzzard and, from the adjacent Jacu Piu forest, the superb golden eagle. Non-raptors include jays, partridges, turtle doves and various species of sparrows.
 

The historical place names reveal the past presence of species no longer found in the area, such as deer, vultures and mouflon (Corra chervina, Sa gurturjera and Vadde de mugrones).
Monte Ortobene is also rich in archaeological sites that testify to human presence since the remotest times, such as the Domus de janas (rock-cut prehistoric tombs) of Sas Vrighines, Maria Vrunza and Janna Ventosa. The ruins of the churches of Sa Itria and Santu Jacu date to more recent times.