Luogosanto (in Gallurese Locusantu), is a Municipality of more than 1,900 inhabitants, set 321 m. a.s.l. in the very heart of Gallura, at the foot of Mount Ghjuanni.
The municipal area, which also includes the boroughs of Chessa, Crisciuleddu and Lu Mocu, consists predominantly of granite hill, of some valleys passed through by short water-streams that flow together with the River Liscia, and narrow plains. The most of the land is covered with Macchia Mediterranea shrubs and oak-woods, ilex and pubescent oaks, the rest is put to use as pastures or farm fields.
The most important economic activity currently is granite mining, but agriculture (grains, grapes) and bovine and swine farming are important as well.
Luogosanto is a Medieval village and twenty-two churches are present in this area: the most important among them is the Basilica di Nostra Signora di Luogosanto, a XIII century Romanesque monument, entitled by Pope Onorio III as Basilica Minore and also provided with the privilege of a Holy Door. This bronze door is opened every seven years for a whole year, when it becomes the aim of the pilgrimage of thousands of worshippers.
Another important church is the one erected during the XIII century in honour of S. Trano in the site where the relics of the hermit Saints Nicola and Trano were retrieved. The sanctuary is not too far from the village and makes the most of its amazing view to Boniface Strait.
Near the way to Arzachena, the medieval granite church of San Leonardo is connected through a bridge to Balaiana Castle, holiday mansion of the Giudice di Gallura. Near the same street in the direction of Arzachena there is the medieval castle of King Baldo (or Palazzu di Baldu), not well maintained actually: it wasn’t a military building for sure, since it is not provided with fortifications, but it is likely to have been used as dwelling by a governor.
