Villamassargia
The village with a textile tradition amid ancient olive treesAmong the gentle hills of southern Sardinia lies this charming village in the Iglesiente region that preserves the authentic charm of local traditions and offers a unique experience into the origins of ancient knowledge, immersing oneself in the warm hospitality of its inhabitants engaged in the production of carpets, tapestries, and household linens.
Wandering through the cobblestone streets of the historic center, you will get lost in the atmosphere of bygone eras, admiring the details of this wonderful village.
Villamassargia is famous for its rich historical heritage, a witness to a fascinating past reflected in ancient architectures, especially its churches: the Church of Our Lady of Pilar and the parish church of Madonna della Neve.
The Church of Our Lady of Pilar, with both Gothic and Romanesque elements, reveals the date of its construction, 1307, and the name of the architect who built it, Arzocco de Garnas, thanks to an inscription on the facade. It was initially dedicated to San Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa, and later, under Aragonese rule, was named after Our Lady of Pilar.
The Church of Madonna della Neve, the parish church, underwent three construction phases from the 13th to the 16th century and is characterized by Cistercian and Gothic-Catalan influences.
Two other places absolutely worth visiting are the Castle of Gioiosa Guardia, amid the green hills overlooking the Cixerri valley, most likely built by the Della Gherardesca, and the S’ortu Mannu, a garden of 700 ancient olive trees grafted between the 14th and 17th centuries, where you can savor the true essence of Sardinia and admire the Sa Reina, a tree with a circumference of 16 meters.
Villamassargia also preserves sites of great cultural interest, such as the Orbai Mine, a heritage of industrial archaeology.