Su Cumpoidori

This important figure is preceded by a procession through the city, followed by a rich banquet.

In the tournament itself the "Cumpoidori " and the contesting horsemen try to thrust their swords through a silver star suspended on a ribbon while they ride at full gallop. At the end the "Cumpoidori" blesses the crowd.

The leading figure of the Spanish Carnival has a mask with features belonging to both the female and male sexes. The Sartiglia is undoubtedly one of the most important festivals of the "oristanesi" as it shows all the changes of social and historical customs throughout the history of Oristano. Furthermore, in Oristano and its province we can easily find routes which lead to the discovery of holy wells, voting stele, graphiti, "nuraghi" of high archaelogical value.

Oristano - Via Dritta

A few kilometres from Oristano the coastline varies considerably: in some places it's rocky and in other sandy. The sandy peninsula of Sinis is really interesting. It is an area characterised by ponds populated by very rare birds, and by rich fishing fauna which is highly protected.
All this natural wealth is enriched by a priceless archaeological treasure. In the peninsula of Sinis in fact, we find the ruins of Tharros, the ancient Phoenician town, which later came under Punic domination and later still under the Romans. They start from the tower and stretch down the peninsula of San Marco. The town was prosperous in Punic times as the large Punicnecropolis demonstrates.

Its position was particulary favourable, as Tharros dominated the Gulf of Oristano to the east and the open sea to the west. Among the ruins are the Punic necropolis, a Punic-Roman temple, baths, water pipes and roads.

Peninsula of Sinis

On the peninsula of Sinis we also find Cabras, a little village, famous for its religious barefoot run which takes place in September during the celebration of San Salvatore.In this celebration barefoot people go in procession carryng the Saint from Cabras to San Salvatore in order to propitiate both the crops and rich fishing in the nearby pond.

This large village on the shore of the pond that bears the same name is mostly inhabited by fishermen who still keep alive many ancient tradition such as building their own reed boats know as "Is Fassonis" of oriental origin.

Oristano offers tourists much more than a beautiful sea, a hot sun and beautiful beaches, it also offers the opportunity of discovering the history and custums of an ancient place.
This will assure a meaningful and enriched holiday.

The province is crossed by the main route (SS 131) of Sardinia which links the main towns.
Oristano can be easily reached in an hour from Cagliari where there are the port and the airport.
While it takes 90 minutes from the airpot of Alghero or the port of Porto Torres and 2 hours from the port and the airport of Olbia.