The first mention of Tortolì (though its foundation dates back to 3000 BC) date from the Roman Empire to domination by foreign peoples, first the Carthaginians, then the Goths, to pass under Arab rule, and then Spanish. In about 1100 he joined Cagliari and becomes the judge of the county seat of Quirra.

Its recent history is more detailed: in 1807 became the provincial capital until 1859 when he left the scepter Lanusei and becomes part of the province of Cagliari.

One of the blackest pages in the history of this country is scirtta But in 1869 when he arrives in town smallpox, brought by a prisoner who claimed many victims. Just continue to make smallpox deaths in 1908, until the arrival of the even worse Spanish Fever.

Meanwhile Tortolì changes again and passes under Nuoro province until the year 2005 when in fact became the capital with Lanusei Ogliastra.

Another page is written finally in the black World War II when Tortoli, in particular the port of Arbatax, is bombed by 18 aircraft to break the maritime trade of our country. A few years earlier had received the visit of Mussolini.