About Clara Vance

Expat Writer

Clara Vance

I am a British cultural anthropologist and independent travel researcher. I moved from Manchester to the Nuoro province of central Sardinia in 2022. I wanted to research the post-war socio-political transitions of the Barbagia region. My studies at the University of Manchester focused on how public spaces are utilized for community voice. This research led me directly to the steep, narrow streets of Orgosolo.

Orgosolo is a town with a unique history. It has transitioned from its historical label as a town of bandits to an open-air gallery of global significance. I have spent the last four years documenting the history of the 200 murals that fresco the public walls. I cataloged the early work of the Milanese group Dioniso in 1969. I also studied the extensive work of local teacher Francesco Del Casino from 1975 onward. This documentation project is what I have focused my daily life on.

Living in this mountainous terrain with my Bernese Mountain Dog, Cooper, has allowed me to connect with the local community. I have spent time learning the regional Sardinian dialect. I have also built relationships with local families, shepherds, and weavers. This site is an independent, non-commercial resource designed to help visitors appreciate Orgosolo. It provides the historical context of the murals and supports local micro-businesses directly, bypassing high-commission online travel agencies.