Gennargentu

Gennargentu
View of Gennargentu and Gusana Lake in spring
Highest point
Peak	Punta La Marmora
Elevation	1,834 m (6,017 ft)
Naming
Native name	Ghennarghentu (Sardinian)
Geography
Gennargentu
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Range coordinates	40°01′N 9°19′E

Gennargentu (Italian: [dʒennarˈdʒɛntu]; Sardinian: Ghennarghentu [ɡɛnːaɾˈɡentu]) is a large massif in central-southern Sardinia, Italy, encompassing the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra. It includes the highest peaks on the island, such as Punta La Marmora (1,834 m or 6,017 ft), Monte Spada (1,595 m or 5,233 ft), Punta Erbas Virdes (1,676 m or 5,499 ft), Bruncu Spina (1,829 m or 6,001 ft) and Punta Paulinu (1,792 m or 5,879 ft).

The range forms part of the Gennargentu National Park. Geologically, its rocks are amongst the oldest in Europe, and are therefore smooth shaped: rock types include schist, limestone and granite.

Toponymy

The etymology of the name Gennargentu is not attested: it could mean "Silver Door" (Sardinian: jenna (d)e arghentu), "Door of the Winds" (jenna de bentu) or "Door of Absinthium" (jenna de assentu).

Ski resorts

The mountains are home to the only ski resort on the island: Bruncu Spina ski area.

See also

• Gennargentu National Park
• Bruncu Spina