This town, which was the glorious capital of " Il Giudicato d'Arborea" and the last bulwark against the Aragonese conquest of Sardinia, has only been recognised chief town of the homonymous province in 1974. Oristano was founded in the XI century by the inhabitants of the ancient town of Tharros, which was the most important Sardinian centre of the Punic civilisation.

It stands on the west coast of the island, near the mouth of Tirso river, not far from the sea, surrounded by fertile fields and flourishing cultivation. This town is rich in history as it is testified by the lively historical centre; by the stately "Tower of S. Cristoforo" known as the "tower of Mariano II"; by the XVI century palace where, the tradition says, lived the famous queen Eleonora D'Arbora. Of the same importance are the S.Chiara church and which preserves precious wooden handmade and very interesting paintings in its inside; a wonderful wooden carving of the crucified Christ, known as of Nicodemus, which goes back to the XIV century, is preserved in the church of S. Fracnesco.

Interesting and admirable finds are those belonging to the Neolithic, nuragic, Punic and roman ages, which are found in the "Antiquarium Arborense" where there is also the Art Gallery.

Oristano stands in a propitious geographical position, so that it can offer products of different civilisations: that of the shepherds, that of the peasants and that oh the lagoons.
Thus this town reserves to the guest a rich gastronomy made of exquisite fish dishes and tasty meat. Moreover it offers the most notorious wine which matches very well with desserts. Among the many occasions of meeting the local craftsmanship and folk-lore, the most significant one is the Carnival with the famous horse-race called "Sa Sartiglia", which mingles magic pre-Christian elements with chivalrous one, as well as a strong faith.