Sanluri

Population: 8,618
Altitude: 135m. above sea level

The territory of the municipality of Sanluri stretches over about 90 sq. km The northern part of the area is characterised by a hilly landscape, whilst to the south there are flat plains.

The region has been inhabited since the Nuragic period, however, the real history of Sanluri began in Medieval times. The ancient town's strategic position meant that it was the object of a hard fought battle during the war between the Aragonese and the Sardinians of the Giudicato d'Arborea. The Castle of Sanluri played an important part in this conflict, being the stage of intense political and military encounters. Despite the presence of the castle the Aragonese defeated the Sardinians in 1409 at the famous "Batalla" (battle) and conquered Sanluri.

The town offers visitors a variety of interesting possibilities:

• The Castle of Eleonora D'Arborea (also known as "Castello Giudicale")
  The castle is open to the public and is particularly interesting because it is one of the best-preserved Medieval fortresses in Sardinia. The castle itself is built on a regular, square plan and stands inside a fortress, which is enclosed by 1,550 m. of defence walls 4.5 metres high. 15 towers dominate the whole area, which covers 16 hectares, four of which stand guard at the entrances to the fortress.
  
  
  
• There are also a number of fascinating ancient churches (S. Pietro, S. Lorenzo e S. Martino), besides the Parish Church of Nostra Signora delle Grazie, which host various masterpieces of sacred art, recently restored and put on display for visitors to admire.
  
  
  
• Museo Duca D'Aosta
  This museum hosts an exhibition of antiques and objects belonging to the Duke, as well as relics from the war in Ethiopia and World War I and II. The collection of Florentine wax sculptures is particularly interesting and includes about 400 pieces.
  
  
  
• Museo Storico Etnografico (Capuchin Convent)
  The Historical Ethnographical Museum was inaugurated in 1991 and hosts numerous exhibits which bear testimony to Sardinian life in the last centuries, sacred art, handicraft, the arts and professions of the monks, as well as objects and instruments from every day life.
  

Sanluri offers a programme of fascinating events which are held throughout the year:

• Sa Batalla di Sanluri (The Battle of Sanluri) - 30 June
  On 30 June 1409 in the countryside around Sanluri, the Aragonese army, lead by Martino II, King of Sicily, confronted the Sardinian army of the Giudicato D'Arborea, lead by Guglielmo III, grandson of Eleonora. In spite of the numerical superiority of the local forces, the battle was won by Martino II and his Aragonese troops.
  Today the occasion is celebrated on the 30 June every year with a series of festivities which last a whole week. Visitors can watch fascinating games, tournaments and Medieval displays which re-enact the ancient battle, with cavalrymen and infantrymen, on the original site of the battle.
  
  
  
• The Festival of San Lorenzo - In the first ten days of August
  
  
• The Town Festival - End of September
  This festival celebrates the old customs, professions, traditions and places of the town with fragrances and flavours of times gone by. The inhabitants of Sanluri welcome visitors into their houses and offer them a selection of local food and wine from the vast gastronomic patrimony of the area.
  
  The area surrounding Sanluri is also rich in places of cultural interest. We recommend the museum and the Nuragic complex of Genna Maria at Villanovaforru, as well as the Nuragic village "Su Nuraxi" at Barumini