Uri is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Sassari in the Italian region Sardinia, located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Alghero (airport) and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northwest of Sassari and about 170 kilometres (110 mi) from Cagliari (airport). It is known for its artichoke festival, held annually in March. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,040 and an area of 56.7 square kilometres (21.9 sq mi).[3]
The earliest traces of human settlements in the Uri area, the so-called Domus de janas, date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The area, was also colonized by the Romans.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Sardinia was held first by the Vandals and then by the Byzantines. According to the letters of Pope Gregory I, a Romanized and Christianized culture co-existed with several Pagan cultures.