Oristano

Oristano is a city in Italy, located on the island of Sardinia. It is the capital of the Province of Oristano, a region in the central-western part of Sardinia. The city lies on the northern edge of the Campidano plain. Oristano became the provincial capital on July 16, 1974. As of 2025, it is the seventh-largest city in Sardinia, with a population of about 30,007 people.

The city's economy relies on a mix of services, farming, tourism, and small businesses. Oristano offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes it an interesting place to learn about in Sardinia.

History

Oristano has an interesting past. Long ago, it was called Aristiánēs Límnē by the Byzantines and was near an old Phoenician town named Othoca, now called Santa Giusta. In 1070, it became important when Archbishop Torcotorio moved the bishopric there because of attacks, and it became the capital of the Judicate of Arborea.

During medieval times, Oristano was powerful and fought with other kingdoms on the island of Sardinia. Later, it became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia under Spanish and then Piedmontese rule. In 1921, some Sardinian veterans founded the Sardinian Action Party in the city.

Climate

Oristano has a subtropical mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Like other places with this type of climate, most of the rain comes during the winter months. Even though summers are dry, the nights can still feel warm and a bit humid.

Demographics

As of 2025, Oristano has a population of 30,007 people. About half are male and half are female. Young people make up a smaller part of the population than in Italy overall, while older people make up a larger part.

In 2024, around 3% of the people in Oristano were born in other countries. The five most common groups come from Romanians, Chinese, Senegalese, Bangladeshis, and Pakistanis.

Government

See also: List of mayors of Oristano

Oristano is the capital of the Province of Oristano in Sardinia, Italy. It became the provincial capital on July 16, 1974. The city is an important center in the region, located on the Campidano plain.

Culture

Sa Sartiglia and other events

Sa Sartiglia is a special horse race that has been held in Oristano for over 500 years, on Carnival Sunday and Mardi Gras. On Sunday, the race is organized by farmers, and on Mardi Gras, it is organized by carpenters.

During the race, masked riders on horseback try to catch a small tin star hanging from a ribbon above the street. They ride very fast and use their swords to try to grab the star. The number of stars caught each day is thought to predict how well the harvest and carpentry work will go that year.

After Sa Sartiglia ends, there is another event called La Pariglia. In this event, the same riders perform tricks and stunts on their horses. The leader of both events is called Su Componidori, chosen by the members of the organizations. This leader is neither male nor female and is seen as a symbol of the land. At the end of the tournament, Su Componidori blesses the town with a bunch of flowers wrapped in a ribbon.

Main sights

• The Tower of St. Christophoros, also called Tower of Mariano II, was built in 1290. It is 19 metres (62 feet) tall and shows us what the old city walls looked like long ago.
• Torrione ("Big Tower") of Portixedda is another historic tower.
• St. Mary's Cathedral was first built in 1130 and rebuilt later. Some parts of the old church remain, like parts of the tower and a special chapel. Inside, there is a wooden statue called the Annunziata, thought to be made by the artist Nino Pisano.
• The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was built around 1200. Inside, there is a wooden sculpture known as the Christ of Nicodemus, made by artists from Valencia in the 1300s.
• The Franciscan church of Santa Chiara, finished in 1428, has a beautiful French-Gothic style.
• The Church and cloister of the Carmine is a great example of Baroque-Roccoco style in Oristano.
• The Church of Saint Sebastian is the only medieval church located outside the old city walls.
• The Church of Saint Dominic was built in 1634. It has a wooden altar with special spaces for statues of saints. After changes over time, it is now used for meetings and concerts instead of services.
• Near the village of Massama, there is a small, very old church called the Oratory of the Souls, showing styles from the 8th century.

Main article: Nino Pisano

Main article: Visigothic art

Transport

Oristano can be reached by train from Sardinia's ports of Olbia and Porto Torres, as well as from the island's main cities Cagliari and Sassari. Buses leave from a station near Piazza G.Manno to connect you to all the villages in the area. There is also a special bus service that runs twice a day to and from Cagliari Elmas Airport, taking about 2 hours.

The city has an airport called Fenosu Airport, located just 3 kilometers away, but it is no longer open for use. There is also a cargo sea port in the area.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Oristano has special friendships with other cities. It is twinned with:

• Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain, since 1991
• Garden City, Kansas, United States