The Life of Giovanni Corbeddu Salis
Giovanni Corbeddu Salis was born in the mountain town of Orgòsolo in 1844. He became the most famous outlaw in Sardinian history, known in local lore as the "Robin Hood of Sardinia". His life of banditry began in 1880 after he was accused of stealing a sheep. Rather than face trial in a state court that he considered foreign and unjust, Corbeddu fled into the limestone cliffs of the Supramonte. He chose the Lanaitho Valley as his primary refuge. He stayed in the cave that now bears his name.
Corbeddu did not target the poor shepherds of the valley. He focused his activities on wealthy landowners, government representatives, and state tax collectors. This choice of targets gained him the support of the local population. Shepherds and farmers in the Nuoro province refused to provide information to the state police. Instead, they supplied the outlaw with cheese, bread, and clothing. This network of local support allowed him to evade search parties for nearly two decades.
His status among the Barbagia communities grew beyond that of a simple outlaw. He became an important figure in the local society. He worked as an informal arbitrator and peace negotiator. When family feuds threatened to disrupt the peace of the mountain villages, elders called on Corbeddu to settle the disputes. He held negotiations inside the limestone chambers of the cave. His decisions were respected because of his reputation for fairness and his commitment to the traditional laws of the island.
