Oristano, Santa Maria cathedral rebuilt after the Pisan damaging
The Romanesque cathedral of Saint Maria, in Oristano, was built in the first half of XII the century. The Pisan plundered seriously the building, which has been then radically modified during the centuries. The cathedral, with its fifteenth century bell towe and an octagonal plan, was reconstructed surely in 1228 (the same year of the two door-knockers in bronze realizes by Piacentino) but, from 1325, when Ugone II was leading the “Giudicato di Arborea” the restoration works started again. Subsequently the consolidation works continued with his son, Mariano IV. In this period were also erected the churches of San Martino and San Lazzaro, and others important cult monuments, outside Oristano. In the city, we suggest you to visit also the church of San Francisco d' Assisi, constructed in the half of the XIII century, where is kept the cross of Nicodemo, wooden polychromatic artwork of the XV century. Finally, the churches of Santa Chiara (finished after 1343) and San Domenico. In the periphery of the homonym hamlet, the church of the Madonna del Remedio, stands out with a Latin cross plan.
In Santa Giusta you find one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches of Sardinia, whose cathedral was built at the beginning of the XII century (clearly inspired to the school of Pisa) under the impulse of the Giudicato of Arborea and dedicated to the Saint, who gives the name to the town. Since those years, it had been the centre of the diocese, and in 1227, it keeps the Sinodo convened from Pope Onorio III. The finding of the crypt (whose vault is supported by small columns) makes us think to a place used for the martyrdom of the Christians, before the construction of the beautiful cathedral: perhaps for this reason some people wanted it to be dedicated to the memory of the martyr virgins Justa, Justina and Enedina. Among the architecture scholars, big curiosity has provoked the particular of the lions and lionesses carved in the façades: these felines have their eyes-cut lengthened, according to the Arabic tradition (in Granada, Spain, there are tangible examples of the same style). As it happened for the first constructions of Aristanis (ancient name for Oristano), this church has also been constructed using material probably taken out from the sites of Tharros and, probably, from Neapolis (look at Sulcis – Ghost cities).
A small but important example of Romanesque church is that one dedicated to San Paolo in Milis. It was built mainly around the half of the XII century, on the model of the Santa Giusta cathedral, presenting a particular façade in two colours (trachite and sandstone). It was completed at the beginning of the XIII century.
In Massama, small town not far from Oristano, it is well worth visiting the church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the XVII century. Among its peculiarities, the red trachite blocks used for the construction of its XVIII century portal. The characteristic christening font is also from the same period. The plan presents various architectonic styles. Next to the church it is possible to visit the Spirits Oratory, clearly inspired to the Byzantine style, dating back to the period between the VIII and IX the century.
