Orotelli

Orotelli Oroteddi
Comune
Comune di Orotelli
View of Orotelli
Orotelli Location of Orotelli in Sardinia
Coordinates: 40°18′N 9°7′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Province	Province of Nuoro (NU)
Government
• Mayor	Giovannino Marteddu
Area
• Total	61.18 km2 (23.62 sq mi)
Elevation	406 m (1,332 ft)
Population  (2026)
• Total	1,824
• Density	29.81/km2 (77.22/sq mi)
Demonym	Orotellesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	08020
Dialing code	0784
Website	Official website

Orotelli (Sardinian: Oroteddi) is a town and comune (municipality) in the Province of Nuoro in the autonomous island region of Sardinia in Italy, located about 120 kilometres (75 mi) north of Cagliari and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Nuoro. It has 1,824 inhabitants.

The town is known for its traditional carnival costumes, including distinctive masks worn by the ''Thurpos''.

Orotelli borders the municipalities of Bono, Bottidda, Illorai, Oniferi, and Orani.

History

Human presence in the area is testified as early as the Nuragic period. In the Middle Ages it was part of the Giudicato of Torres and then of that of Arborea, until falling to the Aragonese.

Demographics

As of 2026, the population is 1,824, of which 49.8% are male, and 50.2% are female. Minors make up 13.9% of the population, and seniors make up 30.2%.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% 1861 1,521 —     1871 1,654 +8.7% 1881 1,852 +12.0% 1901 2,295 +23.9% 1911 2,568 +11.9% 1921 2,523 −1.8% 1931 2,652 +5.1% 1936 2,787 +5.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1951 3,122 +12.0% 1961 3,279 +5.0% 1971 3,010 −8.2% 1981 2,671 −11.3% 1991 2,484 −7.0% 2001 2,314 −6.8% 2011 2,152 −7.0% 2021 1,905 −11.5%
Source: ISTAT

Immigration

As of 2025, immigrants make up 4.0% of the population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are Germany, Belgium, France, Romania, and Morocco.

Main sights

• Parish church of San Giovanni Battista (1116), originally in Romanesque style. It has a 14th-century bell tower with a bas-relief decoration including figures and arcane symbols.
• Several nuraghes and Giants' graves
  • 
    Church of San Giovanni
  • 
    Nuraghe Aeddo
  • 
    Sos Thurpos, the masks of Orotelli