Oristano and hinterland
| This town, which
was the glorious capital of " Giudicato d'Arborea" and the
last bulwark against the Aragonese conquest of Sardinia, has only been
recognised chief town of the homonymous province in 1974. Oristano was
founded in the XI century by the inhabitants of the ancient town of
Tharros, which was the most important Sardinian centre of the Punic
civilisation. It stands on the west coast of the island, near the mouth of Tirso river, not far from the sea, surrounded by fertile fields and flourishing cultivation. This town is rich in history as it is testified by the lively historical centre; by the stately "Tower of S. Cristoforo" known as the "tower of Mariano II"; by the XVI century palace where, the tradition says, lived the famous queen Eleonora D'Arbora. Of the same importance are the S.Chiara church and which preserves precious wooden handmade and very interesting paintings in its inside; a wonderful wooden carving of the crucified Christ, known as of Nicodemus, which goes back to the XIV century, is preserved in the church of S. Fracnesco. Interesting and admirable finds are those belonging to the Neolithic, nuragic, Punic and roman ages, which are found in the "Antiquarium Arborense" where there is also the Art Gallery. Oristano stands in a
propitious geographical position, so that it can offer products of
different civilisations: that of the shepherds, that of the peasants and
that oh the lagoons. |
| Sinis watertight: a few
kilometres from the centre of the town. This is a halt of extraordinary
interest both panoramic and naturalistic; these protected international
oasis present an ideal habitant where may species of birds can nest: the
sea partridge, the royal wild duck, the plover, the Italian knight, the
flamingo, the cormorant etc...
S. Giusta Cathedral: Km 3. This is one of the most beautiful churches of the Romanesque-Pisan period which goes back to the XII century. Torregrande: Km 8 from Sinis Coast. This small island which ca be reached either by a private boat or by a long passenger boat from the Oristano Bay, represents an uncontaminated naturalistic area where prevail a lonely fascination an indescribable emerald green water. San Vero Milis: Km 11. What is really interesting is the "Nuraghe S'Urachi" one of the most complex of Sardinia. S. Giovanni of Sinis: Km 8. The church of S. Giovanni of Sinis presents a great artistic interest because of the evocative wide-low curves of its coverings. It goes back to the second half of the century. Tharros: Km 20. The ancient town of Tharros stands at the extreme end of the Sinis Peninsula. It was founded by the Phoenician about the 800 BC Within the discontinuous walls there are necropolis, temples, the "thopet", ruins of thermal bath dwellings full of mosaics and may tracts of the ancient road system. Is Arutas: Km 20. It is a wonderful sandy-shore made of sparkling white quarts granules; nearby there is just as beautiful beach of Mari Ermi. Santa Cristina: Km 22. The nuragic group of Santa Cristina is one of the most evocative and complete of the island. The archaeological area is composed by a nuragic sanctuary, the ruins of a nuragic tower and a village of huts. The Thermal Baths of Fordongianus: Km 23. The thermal baths represent the jewel of the roman town of Fordongianus. S'Archittu: Km 24. It is a natural arc carved in the rock by the wind and sea waves. It is situated in an area where beaches and evocative cliffs alternate. Monte Arci: Km 24. It is a territory of an incontaminated nature. One of the most fascinating woods of this mountain is that called "De S'Acqua Frida" it is characterised by its thickness and the many springs where the water is fresh even in summertime. Nuraghe Losa: Km 26. The Nuraghe losa is considered one of the highest technological skilfulness in the field of building which had been reached in Sardinia before the Roman-Punic age. Between the walls and the nuraghe there are foundations of rectangular and square dwellings which are traces of a Punic villager active since Byzantine age. |