Bosa


Population: 8,000
Altitude: 2 m. above sea level

The town of Bosa is situated on the west coast of the Province of Sassari, half way between Alghero and Oristano, and is regarded as one of the islands many jewels.

Bosa nestles in the bottom of a valley, not far from the crystalline water of the sea. It is dominated by the Castle of Malaspina, which is surrounded by the tall buildings of the Medieval quarter, which stretches down to the banks of the River Temo.

Thanks to its favourable position in a fertile valley along the banks of the river and a natural harbour on its doorstep, there has been a settlement at Bosa since ancient times. Over the centuries the town has experienced periods of flourishing activity and growth and this is reflected in the fine architecture of the buildings.

Today, this small, agricultural town looks towards the tourist sector as the way ahead. A part from its picturesque geographic position, Bosa boasts artisan crafts of great interest and value, such as jewellery, carpentry and wood-carving, as well as the working of coral. However, besides this handicraft, the town also has a busy fishing sector and produces fine wines, among which the famous Malvasia.

• The River Temo. The river starts to the north of Bosa, in the territory of Villanova Monteleone, and meanders towards the sea, delimiting the southern boundary of the town. In particularly rainy periods the river can represent a danger because of its strong current and the risk of flooding. However, in normal conditions it is navigable from the river mouth up-stream for a number of kilometres.
  
  
  
• Sas Conzas (The Tannery). This area is characterised by a series of identical barns built in the 1800s on the left bank of the river, which were once used for the working of leather.
  
  
  
• The Cathedral of the 'Immacolata'.
  The Catherdral stands near the bridge over the River Temo. It was built in two different eras: the first part in the 1500s and the second part later in the 1800s and is prevalently in Piedmont-Baroque style. Inside there is an image of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus, which reveals the influence of Catalan art in the area.
  
  
• The 'Carmine' Church. This church is situated to the north of the town, in a square of the same name. It was built in the second half of the eighteenth century in Piedmont-Baroque style and inside there are beautiful pieces of wooden furniture, with exquisite etchings.
  
  
• The Capuchin Convent. This seventeenth century convent is situated, together with the church of S. Maria degli Angeli, on a hill and boasts a wonderful panorama.
  
  
• S. Antonio Extra Muros. This church was built in the sixteenth century in Gothic-Catalan style.
  
  
• The Church of S. Pietro. This church was once the cathedral of Bosa. It was built in various stages between the XI and XIII century and is characterised by its Romanesque and Gothic features. The facade is particularly elaborate, divided into three parts with three pointed arches, each one decorated with a sculptured, quatre-foiled rose window. The main doorway has a beautiful architrave in sculptured marble.
  
  
  
• Sa Costa. At the foot of the hill on which the Castle of Malaspina stands, visitors will find the quarter which boasts the most evident and well preserved traces of its Medieval origin.
  
  
  
• The Castle of Malaspina. On the summit of a hill, to the north-east of the town there is a large complex
  which dates back to 1112.
  Visitors can still admire the outer defence walls and the towers.
  
  The north tower is particularly interesting. It was built in red trachyte rock in the 1300s, probably by Giovanni Capula, an architect from Cagliari. The complex was reinforced and developed by the Aragonese with a total perimeter of 300 m.
  
  
  
• The Church of Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos. The church of Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos is situated inside the Castle of Malaspina, and boasts a series of frescos from the Aragonese school of art.
  
  
• The Bosa Marina. The Marina is situated 2 km to the west of the town, between the mouth of the river and the sea. In summer it is a popular tourist centre with bathing establishments and a large beach. It also has a small harbour for pleasure boats.