Ussassai is on the border between Barbagia di Seulo and Ogliastra.  It's a small town known for its fruit quality "a trempa orrubia" (red cheeks) - its deep-red coloured apples.  Each year, many visitors take part in the Apple-Fest programmed for the last Sunday in October, where typical local products can be tasted (culurgionis cum sa mecuda, strìppiddi, cocois prenas), roasted meats, hams and wines coming from the private wine-cellars of those who actively take part in the event. 
Ussassai's territory belongs to the Lanusei diocese and extends over an area of about 47 sq. km., enriched with ilex woods and juniper and strawberry-tree underbrush.  There are many forests in Ussassai's territory.  We recommend hiking in Takiggeddu, Su Pissu 'e Irtzioni and Niala, an area with refreshment stops and known for the presence of the railway's "Iron bridge" over which the Trenino verde passes. 
For the most part, the town's economy is based on agriculture and animal-herding and its fields are traversed by the S. Girolamo river and numerous, fresh-water, crystal-clear streams.  Its territory to the north and to the east is specked with "tacchi", calcareous towers sculpted by the wind and modelled by the water.  During certain times of the day, at dawn or at dusk, you can admire the quite particular, charming colours that filter through the rose-coloured walls of these mountains.  |interruzione di pagina The "Su casteddu 'e joni" area is characterised by its spires and jags, some of which are in bizarre forms like that called "Dante"; its human profile and aquiline nose are a reminder of this Tuscan poet.  The numerous nuraghic remains and above all the small, rural church of St. Saviour located in Santu Gironi are quite interesting from both a tourism and archaeological point of view.  The church was built in Roman-Byzantine style in the XII Century above the settlement.  It was the parish to the old town of Trobigitei which disappeared during the Aragonese Era and on which the town of Ussassai later rose.  There are numerous Cumbessìas or Posadas, characteristic one-roomed, side by side dwellings in front of the church and on its left side.  They were and still are used today by the believers during the celebrations in honour of St. Saviour (Sept. 11th-12th) and St. Jerome (Sept. 30th).  They have been passed down to family members for generations. 
Amongst the celebrations are those in honour of St. Lawrence (Aug. 10th) and St. John the Baptist (Aug. 29th), celebrated in the small parish in the centre of town where a beautiful ostensory dating back to 1625 is conserved.