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Oristano in Sardegna

Bosa

Province of Oristano, Sardegna (Sardinia, Sardinien), Italy

Locality: Situated on a small hill about 3 kilometers inland along the west coast, it is the only town in Sardinia along a river, the Temo, which is also navigable, and the center of an agricultural area called Planargia. In recent decades a beach resort called Bosa Marina rose arouns the small port including the Isola Rossa, at the mouth of the river. The town center has a medieval look, with the Malaspina castle in a domineering position, and the river banks are flanked by palm trees, which gives a very exotic and unique feel to the landscape.

Info: Population: about 9,000 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 091013 -- Phone Area Code: 0785 -- Patron Saint: Sant'Emilio e Priamo celebrated on 28 May -- Frazioni & Località: Bosa Marina

History: A Phoenician inscription that is unfortunately lost now dated the origin of the town to the 11th century BC, when the center was probably situated nearer to the river mouth. In Roman times the town was called Bosa Vetus, and in the Middle Ages in 1062 AD the Church of San Pietro was built, while in 1112 the Malaspina marquis started to build the castle on top of the Serravalle mountain. The population moved nearer to the castle, abandoning the seaside settlement, to be better protected against Saracen raids and pirates. In the 14th cenbtury the castle, under Mariano d’Arborea, was a stronghold against the Aragonese invasion. In 1388 the town acquired an almost unique status, partly independent of feudal dominion, and had its own magistrate, called podesta'. In 1499 king Ferdinand the Catholic awarded Bosa the honor of being a royal town, though the castle was still under a feudal lord, the Villamari Admiral. Throughout the Middle Ages, there was a thriving commercial and artisan community in this strategically important center.

What to see:

  • The Serravalle Castle, built starting from 1112, when some of the towers were erected, was later enlarged, and in 1330 had a perimeter of 300 meters, with seven towers.
  • The church of Regnos Altos, in the square of the Castle, with inside a fine fresco cycle of the 14th century representing in each scene the Franciscan virtues: charity, chastity, humility, heroism against evil, courage in martyrdom, admonition for a good death. A unique scene represents the meeting of three living and three dead.
  • The ancient Cathedral of San Pietro, built starting from 1062 - the date is inscribed in a stone inside; in the 12th century the apses were built and the 13th century other additions followed in the French Gothic style. The facade, a project by Anselmo from Como, contains three rose-windows and on the portal the statues of St Peter, St. Paul, the Virgin with Child, St. Constantine, in honor of the bishop Costantino de Castra that founded the church.
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