The XIII century has left a print in Marmilla
At the entrance of Villanovaforru, at the top of one of the sweet hills surrounding this town of Marmilla, there is the refurbished country church dedicated to Santa Marina, Spanish marty. The building dates back to 1280 and today it is included in the Parco Archeologico ( Archaeological Park) of Genna Maria wanted by the communal administration in the framework of a wide plan of reforestation of the diggings area. To the original system, in Romanesque-Pisan style, have been brought some modifications in the course of the centuries: as for example the lateral wings that have given to the small church the classic Latin cross plant. The building is surmounted by a small bell tower, the entrance is preceded by a small arcade with three characteristic arches. The church and the parvis receive hundred of faithfuls on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of Santa Marina (singular case in Sardinia), on the 16th and 17th of July.
In Villamar the beautiful Romanesque church of San Pietro (XIII century) is one of the greatest evidence present in Marmilla of the work lent by the Spanish unskilled workers, paid by the local Curia: it can be also sensed by the contaminations imported presumably by the tradition of the Muslim countries . Interesting is also the parochial church of San Giovanni Battista, in late Gothic style, with the bell tower of the XVI century and some important art works, among which a retable of 1518.
The small country church dedicated to Santa Prisca, in Pau, is worth a visit for some of its architectonic peculiarities, among which the facing arcade. From 1st to 3rd September the celebrations in honor of the Saint attract numerous faithfuls.
Barumini does not offer only historical and cultural reasons of interest connected to the visit of the beautiful nuraghic site (look at Nuraghs), but also to the church of San Giovanni Battista (XIII century) and to the parochial of the Beata Vergine Immacolata (XVI century): in this last one are guarded many art works of valuable workmanship.
At the entrance of Tuili you will find the country church of Sant’Antonio Abbot (XVI), characterized by a wooden altar of the 1600's, a pipe-organ of the 1700's and a fencing with the “lollas”, the arcade that accommodate the street traders and the craftsmen during the festivals of the town. Inside the inhabited center, instead, it is worth a visit the church of San Pietro Apostolo, in late Gothic style, that preserves numerous art works of the XVI and XVII centuries.
The parochial church of San Lorenzo martyr, in Villanovafranca, stands out from the built-up area thanks to the cupola and a bell tower of remarkable dimensions. Inside of it, it is possible to admire an interesting wooden chorus. In the same town, is worth a visit the smallest church dedicated to San Sebastiano, constructed at the end of the XVI century by the stone-cutters of Villanovafranca: it guards a valuable pipe-organ of the end of 1700's.
Lunamatrona boasts three churches, all very interesting. Among all dominates the parochial dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, constructed in the XVI century: the vault of the nave and of the presbytery is decorated with the history of the life of the saint, while the so-called Cappella del Quadro (Chapel of the Painting) is made precious by a sixteenth century retable. The church of Santa Maria dates instead back to the XIV century, and it rises at the periphery of the town. Finally, is worth a visit the small church of San Sebastiano.
In Collinas is worth a visit the country church dedicated to Santa Maria Angiargia, placed in a wood to which the popular belief has given a magical meaning. On 7th September the faithfuls of the town celebrate the Saint with a procession that leaves from the town and arrives to the small church.
The church of San Michele Arcangelo, in Siddi, dates back to the XIII century. Among the curiosities from the architectonic point of view, a relief in the architrave of the minor portal: it shows a turned over human figure, beside other four ones in erected position. In general, an example of Romanesque style that attracts many tourists. It is certainly more recent the parochial of the Vergine Maria: it dates back to the beginning of the XVIII century and it was built over an already existing church, beside the bell tower completed in 1688. Very interesting a retable of 1766, the font dating back the end of 1700's and a wooden statue representing the Madonna with the Infant Jesus.
In Mogoro we suggest visiting the late Romanesque-Gothic church dedicated to the Madonna del Carmelo.
