Oristano

Oristano, chief town of Province from 1974, is one of the seven royal cities of Sardinia, altogether with  Cagliari, Sassari, Bosa, Alghero, Castelsardo and Iglesias.  The economy of its territory is mainly based on agriculture and handicraft.  Its origins are uncertain, but after Tharros destruction, the population moved to the plain on the south of the Tirso in order to found a new village, at the time called Aristanis.  Following Tharros ruin, Oristano became the capital of the Giudicato di Arborea, where are stored numerous testimonies .  We suggest  you to visit the Romanesque cathedral of Santa Maria (XII the century), next to the XV century big bell tower with octagonal plant (1228).  Very beautiful is also the church of San Francisco d' Assisi (XIII century), in which is kept the Nicodemo cross, and the churches of Santa Chiara and San Domenico.  In the historical centre, it is also interesting the Portixedda tower  (XV century), constructed from the Spanish on the rests of a tower from the Giudicale époque.  Then, it is worth visiting the neoclassic palaces, as the Communal Palace, the Mameli Palace and the building of the historical Archives. Close to the Mariano II tower and to the house in which lived the Giudicessa Eleonora d' Arborea, the Antiquarium Arborense contains the  testimonies of all the territory, in particular of Tharros.  Oristano boasts a great tradition in the glass working: some artisan laboratories produce colourful or sanded windows, crystal glasses, enamelled ceramics.  On the Sunday of carnival, the city attracts thousands of tourists for the Sartiglia, an event that  repeats uninterruptedly since 1200.

Places to visit