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The town of Orosei

Orosei: a holiday between history and magic

Orosei is the historic administrative centre of the middle-earth, between Baronia and Barbagia, and it arises from the slopes of the Mountain Tuttavista, not far away from the mouth of the river Cedrino. The origins of the town date back to the Roman age, but its maximum development was at the age of the Giudicati. It became later a feudal administrative centre, but it did not live a bright period during the 18th century. But at the end of that century the town’s fortunes changed and it relaunched its economy. The small town of Orosei is an important cultural and touristic hotspot nowadays. Directly on the main square Piazza del Popolo you will find one of the most important baroque churches of all Sardinia, the Parish of San Giacomo – patron saint of Orosei. Inside this church there are a baptistery and several wooden statues. Other churches to visit are the Church of Sant’Antonio, the Church of San Gavino and the Church of Sas Animas. The patronal feast day falls on 25th July and it is celebrated with religious processions and folkloristic events.
One peculiarity is the presence of three Confraternities in Orosei: of Santa Croce, of Rosario and of Anime. The confraternities are made of lay men who wear a characteristic suit and they devote themselves to religious worship throughout the year, especially during the Holy Week. Orosei has also the Guiso Museum which was founded in 2000 and dedicated to Nanni Guiso, the last noble of the Baronie who passed away in 2006. The Museum has a large collection of 18thcentury puppet theatres, books and other various objects donated by Nanni and housed in a 17th century building in the Palathos Vezzos district.