Oristanese

<< Sardinia

The Oristanese is the territory of the Province of Oristano, located in the central-western part of Sardinia. This region includes plains, hills, and mountains, and features various small towns, some archaeological sites, and a few seaside resorts.

Oristano

Oristano is a city in central-western Sardinia, located near the coast and in the northern part of the Campidano plain. This area has been inhabited since ancient times, but Oristano was founded in the Middle Ages and emerged as the capital of the independent Judicate of Arborea, that at one point ruled over almost all of Sardinia. Oristano declined after the island was taken by the Aragonese, but remained an important regional center, and now features a few historic attractions.

Oristano Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Oristano Cathedral is the main church of the city. The church was built around the 12th century in Romanesque style and was later renovated with Gothic and Baroque additions. Inside the church are various artworks and decorations, while adjacent to the building is a beautiful bell tower.

Antiquarium Arborense

The Antiquarium Arborense is an archaeological museum in Oristano. The museum is dedicated to local history, and houses archaeological findings from nearby sites dating from prehistory to the Middle Ages, as well as various more recent artworks.

Tower of Mariano II

The Tower of Mariano II (Torre di Mariano II) is a medieval tower in Oristano, erected in the 13th century and located at the northern end of the old town. The tower was once part of the fortifications of the city, and also served as city gate.

Santa Giusta

Santa Giusta is a small town located just south of Oristano. The town was founded by the Phoenicians as Othoca, and was a regional center for a long time, but it was abandoned in the Early Middle Ages. The modern Santa Giusta later emerged around a church.

Basilica of Santa Giusta

The Basilica of Santa Giusta is a Romanesque church erected in Santa Giusta in the 12th century. The church was later reworked and renovated, and it is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in this area. The basilica features a simple interior, with a typical Romanesque facade and bell tower.

Cabras

Cabras is a town located west of Oristano. Its territory includes a lagoon known as Stagno di Cabras, and the Sinis Peninsula, which was the site an ancient city. The modern town emerged in the Late Middle Ages.

✪ Archaeological Area of Tharros

The Archaeological Area of Tharros (Area Archeologica di Tharros) is located at the southern end of the Sinis Peninsula, and houses the ruins of the ancient city of Tharros. This area was inhabited in prehistoric times, while the city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BCE. The city later grew to become a flourishing center under the Carthaginians and the Romans, but declined in the Middle Ages, and was abandoned. The archaeological site houses the ruins of various buildings, including some temples and a thermal complex.

Giovanni Marongiu Civic Museum

The Giovanni Marongiu Civic Museum (Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu) is an archaeological museum in Cabras. The museum houses a large collection of archaeological findings, with many artworks and objects from the nearby site of Tharros. The museum also hosts the Giants of Mont’e Prama (Giganti di Mont’e Prama), a group of Iron Age sculptures made by the Nuragic civilization.

Mal di Ventre Island

The Mal di Ventre Island (Isola del Mal di Ventre) is a small unhinabited island located off the western coast of Sardinia. The island has been visited since ancient times, as proven by the presence of some prehistoric and Roman ruins. The island is part of a nature reserve, and has a rich fauna.

Laconi

Laconi is a small town located among the hills of central Sardinia, in the Province of Oristano. The town is best known for hosting various ancient structures in its territory.

Menhir Museum

Also known as: Museum of Prehistoric Statuary in Sardinia (Museo della Statuaria Preistorica in Sardegna)

The Menhir Museum is an archaeological museum in Laconi. The museum is dedicated to the many menhirs found around the town, and also houses several archaeological findings unearthed in various sites in Sardinia.

Fordongianus

Fordongianus is a tiny town located among the hills east of Oristano. The town was once inhabited by the Romans, and houses various ancient ruins.

Thermae of Fordongianus

The Thermae of Fordongianus (Terme di Fordongianus) are the ruins of a vast thermal complex built by the Romans in Fordongianus. The complex was built around the 1st century and was later expanded, and a large portion of the structure is still visible today.

Paulilatino

Paulilatino is a small town located among the hills northeast of Oristano. The town has been inhabited since ancient times, and it is known for hosting some archaeological ruins in its territory.

Archaeological Park of Santa Cristina

The Archaeological Park of Santa Cristina (Parco Archeologico di Santa Cristina) is an archaeological site located near Paulilatino. The site includes various structures built by the Nuragic civilization. The most notable of these is the holy well, an underground sanctuary dating from around the 11th century BCE.

Abbasanta

Abbasanta is a town located among the hills of the Province of Oristano, next to Ghilarza, and best known for a nearby nuraghe.

Nuraghe Losa

The Nuraghe Losa is an ancient nuraghe located near Abbasanta. One of the most imposing and well preserved structures of its kind, it was originally erected during the Bronze Age, but some parts were added later.

Ghilarza

Ghilarza is a small town located next to Abbasanta in the Province of Oristano. The town is best known for its connection with politician Antonio Gramsci, who grew up here.

Antonio Gramsci House Museum

The Antonio Gramsci House Museum (Casa Museo Antonio Gramsci) is a museum dedicated to Antonio Gramsci in Ghilarza. The museum is hosted in the house where Gramsci lived in his childood and adolescence, and hosts various objects and documents showcasing his life.

Sedilo

Sedilo is a small town in central Sardinia, in the Province of Oristano. Inhabited since ancient times, the town is best known for a nearby archaeological site.

Archaeological Park of Iloi

The Archaeological Park of Iloi (Parco Archeologico di Iloi) is located near Sedilo and houses various ancient structures. The most notable of these is a nuragic complex, but the area also includes a few ancient tombs and some smaller nuraghes scattered around a large area.

Bosa

Bosa is a town located near the western coast of Sardinia in the Province of Oristano, at the mouth of the Temo river. The city was founded in ancient times, and was inhabited by the Phoenicians and the Romans, while the current town emerged in the Late Middle Ages. Bosa is now a tourist destination, often regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Sardinia.

Serravalle Castle

Also known as: Malaspina Castle

The Serravalle Castle is a medieval castle located on a hill overlooking Bosa. The fort was built around the 12th century, and was later expanded. Later abandoned and now restored, it is one of the main landmarks of the city and it still preserves various towers and fortifications. A small church with medieval frescoes is located inside the castle walls.

Casa Deriu Museum

The Casa Deriu Museum (Museo Casa Deriu) is a museum of local art and culture in Bosa. Hosted in a historic palace, the museum houses various artworks by Sardinian artists and numerous ancient pieces of furniture.

Church of San Pietro

The Church of San Pietro is a Romanesque church located east of Bosa. The church was built during the 11th century over a previous Roman necropolis, and was later reworked. Abandoned and the restored, the church now features various medieval decorations, and it is a notable example of Romanesque architecture.