Tortolì

Tortolì is a town and municipality, which along with Lanusei is a co-capital of the Province of Ogliastra in the autonomous region of Sardinia in Italy. With a population of 10,980, it is the largest municipality in the province and the 23rd-largest in Sardinia.

WWW comuneditortoli.it

History

Ancient history

The area of Tortolì was inhabited since the Neolithic and then frequented by the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, and the Byzantines. It was part of the giudicato of Cagliari between the 10th and 13th centuries.
During the Spanish period the town was the head of the County of Quirra.

Modern history

In 1807 Tortolì became head of a province consisting of 27 villages, but in 1921 lost the capital status in favour of Lanusei. In 1859 it was incorporated into the Province of Cagliari. In 1926 it was incorporated into the Province of Ogliastra.
In 1943 the port of Arbatax was bombed, killing 13 people.

Geography

Tortolì is situated on the eastern coast of Sardinia. Its port and greatest hamlet is Arbatax, which has also an airport that once connected it to continental Italy and the European continent. To the north of it is Girasole and Lotzorai, to the west Villagrande Strisaili and Ilbono, and to the south Barisardo. To the east of the town is the Mediterranean Sea.

Demographics

As of 2025, Tortolì has a population of 10,980, of whom 49.3% are male and 50.7% are female. Minors make up 14.0% of the population, and seniors make up 25.2%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.