Marmilla and Sarcidano · Provincia di Oristano

Things to do in Usellus

Things to do in Usellus, Sardinia, site of Roman Uselis: Santa Reparata church, Santa Lucia Nuragic complex, Escovedu, wines and Monte Arci trails.

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Usellus is a village in the Upper Marmilla, in the province of Oristano, at the foot of Monte Arci and between the Giara and Monte Arci parks. This was the site of Uselis, one of Sardinia's few Roman colonies and later a bishop's seat for centuries. Today it is a peaceful village of houses with loggias and courtyards, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and holm oak woods: ideal for lovers of ancient history, wine and nature walks.

What to see in Usellus

Church of Santa Reparata

On the hill of Donigala, this three-aisled church with a bell gable stands on the remains of ancient Uselis. Around the churchyard are the cumbessias, small houses that sheltered pilgrims during the novenas: a place full of history, with a lovely view.

Old village and San Bartolomeo

In the heart of the village stands the 17th-century parish church of San Bartolomeo. The streets keep houses with lollas (loggias), cobbled courtyards and grand doorways.

Archaeology

There are nine nuraghi (Bronze Age stone towers) in the area; the most important is the Santa Lucia Nuragic complex, with Cyclopean walls and hut remains. Also worth seeing are the giants' tomb of Matrox'e Bois and the Roman bridge at Su Forraxi.

Escovedu

This hamlet, about 2 km away, preserves traditional architecture, the church of Sant'Antonio da Padova and an 18th-century manor house.

Things to do in Usellus

Part of the Monte Arci Nature Park lies within the municipality: trails through holm oaks and scrub lead to springs and outcrops of obsidian, the “black gold” of the Neolithic. You can hike, mountain bike or tour the nuraghi, then taste the wines of the surrounding hills. Traditional crafts in ceramics, iron, wood and stone survive in the village. Check out the experiences offered by local operators below and choose how to enjoy Usellus.

History

Inhabited in the Neolithic and Nuragic ages, the area drew people for Monte Arci obsidian. From the 2nd century BC Uselis became a Roman colony: a bronze tablet from AD 158 records its status, and Ptolemy lists it among the island's colonies. It then became a diocese until the 12th century, when the settlement was rebuilt further down the valley and the see moved to Ales. In the Middle Ages it was the capital of a district of the Judicate of Arborea, then an Aragonese fief and part of the marquisate of Quirra until 1839.

Food and local products

The hillside vineyards produce Malvasia, Monica and Vermentino, and the olive groves a fine extra virgin oil. Cheeses, ricotta and pasture-raised meats complete the table. To take home: wine, olive oil and handmade ceramics, ironwork or woodwork.

Festivals and traditions

Mid-May: Sant'Isidoro, with a mutton festival.
Late August: feast of the patron San Bartolomeo, alongside an art exhibition.
Early September: Santa Lucia, with solemn rites and a community lunch in the s'Arroxiu woods.

Nearby

Ales, a few minutes away: the cathedral and Antonio Gramsci's birthplace.
Pau and its Obsidian Museum.
Villa Verde and the Nuragic village of Brunk'e s'Omu.
Villa Sant'Antonio, with the giant menhir of Monte Corru Tundu.

Getting there and when to go

Usellus is about 35 km from Oristano, just over half an hour by car; Oristano is on the SS131 highway. The nearest airports are Cagliari-Elmas, about an hour and a quarter away, and Alghero. Spring is perfect for the trails; in late summer the festivals liven up the village and the grape harvest begins.