Sa Funtana Noa

The town of Ossi started to take shape as a human settlement in the Middle Ages, when the inhabitants could rely on a few water fountains located inside the town and in close proximity. The inhabitants of the town would go to the fountains mainly to get the water supply needed for their homes, to water livestock and do laundry. All habits that slowly disappeared with the construction of the aqueduct. People have done their best not to leave these supply fountains in a state of abandon because of their historical importance. Sa Funtana Noa (tn* meaning The New Fountain) in Ossi is located at the beginning of the town and was built at the beginning of the 1900s. The structure has an octagonal plan, made from stone and covered by a small dome. Water still flows from its four faucets. It has a small stream, a drinking trough and the water source a few metres away. In the first years of 2000, another structure was built in place of the wash house, articulated over two levels. On the ground floor, is the headquarters of the Pro Loco of Ossi (tn* local tourist office) and the Regional Vice Presidency of Unpli that runs both the Tourist Office and the structure as a whole. This is included as part of the Interregional Programme IIIA, in particular the exhibit room “Sa Funtana Noa”, which is designed to host a new exhibition every year. While the fountain is located on the left of the road, on the right there is a public garden, with a playground and a monument to the fallen in the centre. The plan is to create a wide park here, with sidewalks and green areas, that can also safeguard the fountain and some others located at a short distance.

In 2011, the Town Administration set up a requalification project for the fountain, the surrounding area and all of the straight road connecting to the other fountain located near the intersection with the old ring road. The project calls for the restoration of the area of Sa Funtana Noa, with the intention of bringing it back to its original state through repairs to the lighting system, the perimeter wall that surrounds the area and the dome above it. Works along the tree-lined pavement are also planned, which will probably be extended to reach the intersection with the ring road; illumination from vintage low energy lamp posts and the creation of a new garden in a subsequent intervention.