Protection From Outsiders
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In a pocket of kilometers, one gets a clear reading of the history of Sardinia; defensive architectural indigenous compounds to protect against colonialisation. |
| Fordongianus |
20 kilometers out of Oristano, these Roman thermal baths Forum Traini have a main pool ornate with various terraces. The nearby Manca house and the parish chapel are remains of the Aragon epoch. |
| Tharros |
On the road to Cabras, the ruins of this phoenician colony will impress the visitor. The oldest settlement is at Capo San Marco, the southernmost point of the Sinis peninsula. The striking main temple has foundations carved from the bare rock and doric columns with egyptian decorations. At col S. Giovanni is an acropolis fortified by walls and towers. The thermal complex of Conveto Vecchio, of Roman origin, is a vast expanse of three-tiered terraces and mosaics from the II century A.D. Of interest are the church of S. Salvatore and its frescoes. |
| Oristano |
Built around walls and (S. Cristoforo) during the III century, its main monument, the Duomo, was built around 1228. Gothic influences are also visible on the facade of S. Francesco. Behind the Duomo, the Antiquarium has neolithic artifacts from the Cabras pond and artefacts from the excavations at Tharros. Many examples of civilian construction of the IV-VI century can be found in the city center, where rises the cathedral of S. Giusta, romanic construction of 1135. Down the road, the village of Arborea, founded in 1928 by Tuscan and Venitian emigrants, offers a good example of early-century neogothic architecture. |
| Villanovaforru |
Towards Collinas, Villanovaforru has a nuragh village Genna Maria; but pay attention, it almost appears engulfed by the robust vegetation. A three-lobed construction, it is enclosed by a series of walls and five towers. |
| Barumini |
Further inland we find the all-important complex of Su Nuraxi. The main tower is 'absorbed' by four large towers spread out in the shape of an overgrown cross; military requirements forced the creation of an additional perimeter, defended by seven towers. The village grew both within and outside of these perimeters. Today's village has neo-gothic monuments: the parish and Palazzo Zappata.
Outside of Barumini is the area known as Giara di Gesturi, a basalt plateau, with Mediterranean shrub and tiny volcanic cones, populated by wild horses. |
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