Mamoiada — Decipher the Mamuthones' Ancient Code
Uncover the 2,000-year-old mystery hidden in Mamoiada's masked ritual. Decipher fertility symbols, decode the Mamuthones' sacred sequence, and expose the pre-Christian secrets that still govern this Sardinian village.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
For two millennia, the Mamuthones have danced through Mamoiada's narrow streets every January and February—twelve masked figures moving in perfect synchrony, their cowbells ringing out an ancient rhyt
Mamoiada — Decipher the Mamuthones' Ancient Code
You are a visiting scholar, specialized in ancient folklore, arriving in Mamoiada, Sardinia, in the late 19th century, determined to decipher the mysteries of its millennia-old pre
Immerse yourself in Mamoiada, Sardinia, and decipher the ancient codes of the Mamuthones, those enigmatic figures of the Carnevale di Mamoiada.
The story that haunts this land
Your immersion begins in Piazza Europa, the historic gathering point and starting place for the Carnevale di Mamoiada parades. This is where the Mamuthones and Issohadores prepare for their annual procession in February, a tradition documented since the 19th century, but whose roots delve into the Nuragic age. Surrounded by ancient buildings, this square is the stage for the first enigmas that will connect you to the ritual energy of Mamoiada, an emblematic town in the province of Nuoro. Here you decipher the first messages from the carnival guardians, essential for the rest of your exploration.
The route then leads you to the Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee, inaugurated in 2003. This museum is dedicated to Mediterranean masks, with a particular focus on the Mamuthones. Here you will discover original masks, some weighing up to 30 kg, worn by participants during the annual parade. Located in the heart of the historic center, near Piazza Europa, this site offers a concrete insight into the craftsmanship and symbolism of these figures. The clues you collect here will help you understand the deep meaning of the Barbagia di Ollolai rituals.
Your journey continues to the Chiesa della Beata Vergine Assunta, a parish church built in the 17th century in Mamoiada's historic center. Its Sardinian Baroque style, with an ornate facade and a bell tower dating from 1680, contrasts with the pagan traditions of the carnival. Located along Via Roma, near the Mamuthones district, it represents the cultural syncretism of the Nuoro region. You will search for hidden symbols that reveal how ancient beliefs have been integrated or transformed over the centuries.
You delve into Via Roma, the main street of Mamoiada's centro storico, lined with typical Barbagia basalt houses. This historic artery is a key route for the Mamuthones processions. Following the cobblestones, you perceive the atmosphere of a district that lives to the rhythm of its traditions. Via Roma, close to Piazza Europa and the Museo delle Maschere, is a place where every corner can reveal a fragment of the past. The clues guide you through local legends, bringing you closer to the secret of the masks.
Your adventure concludes in the Centro storico di Mamoiada, an old quarter with narrow, paved streets, perfect for an outdoor game. This 1.5 km area around Piazza Europa, characterized by its local Barbagia di Ollolai stone architecture, is imbued with the spirit of the Mamuthones. You have walked through places where history and tradition meet, from the Carnevale di Mamoiada to centuries-old buildings. By completing your mission, you will carry with you an understanding of the rituals that bind the people of Mamoiada to their land, a precious cultural heritage of Sardinia.
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
5-10 curated sites across the territory
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 14,90€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
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Practical info
Why this route?
Ancestral Masks
Dive into the mystical world of the Mamuthones and their unique wooden masks, symbols of an immemorial tradition.
Hypnotic Rhythms
Follow the cadence of the Mamuthones' bells, a sound that resonates with the heartbeats of rural Sardinia.
Millennia-Old Traditions
Uncover the deep roots of a pre-Christian carnival, linked to the cycles of nature and the fertility of the earth.
Unravel the threads of time.
Reconstruct the sacred calendar of the Mamuthones.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Immerse yourself in Mamoiada, Sardinia, and decipher the ancient codes of the Mamuthones, those enigmatic figures of the Carnevale di Mamoiada.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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