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Description
Talana
is perched above a rugged valley wedged between a mountain
covered by the Padente Mannu forest and, further to
the south, the mountain of Serra Longa. Streams and
water springs are abundant. A territory with numerous mines
now abandoned: Zu Zippiri, rich in copper with
concentrations of quartz and sulphur leaded silver, and
veins of argentiferous pyrite also abandoned, at
Monterubiu. Some historians trace the origin of the
toponym Talana in the Mesopotamian language (meaning
“heaven splendour”); other link it to the Etruscan
Thalana, a female goddess of youth.
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The parish
church of Santa Maria was built by an unknown
architect, work began in 1831 and was finished in 1909 with
the contribution of the village people who are, therefore,
very fond and proud of it. In the Neo-Classic style, the
church has a single nave with 7 lateral chapels and houses
some beautiful wooden statues of the 18 century and a silver
cross of unknown date. The country church of Sant’Efisio,
which dates back to 1700, is the seat of an important
religious event that marks the beginning of country
festivals in Ogliastra. |
