Things to do in Siamaggiore
Things to see in Siamaggiore near Oristano: San Costantino church, the country chapel of San Ciriaco, mud-brick houses and the artichoke festival.
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Siamaggiore is a small village in the Campidano di Oristano, about 8 km from Oristano, in the fertile plain of the lower Tirso valley. In the Middle Ages it was an important centre of the Giudicato of Arborea; today it's a quiet place of mud-brick houses, country chapels and artichoke fields. It suits slow travellers who love country cooking and want to see the Oristano area away from the crowds.
What to see in Siamaggiore
Church of San Costantino
The parish church, dedicated to Emperor Saint Constantine, is an 18th-century late Baroque building and the heart of village religious life.
Country church of San Ciriaco
About a kilometre outside the village, among the fields, stands the small church of San Ciriaco, of Romanesque origin: a lovely goal for a walk in the Tirso countryside.
Santa Maria di Pardu Nou
In the hamlet of Pardu Nou you'll find the sanctuary of Santa Maria, in a stretch of plain drained back in early modern times.
The old centre
Narrow streets are lined with low houses and large courtyards, built mostly from ladiri, sun-dried bricks of mud and straw typical of rural Campidano architecture. The village also has the Oratory of the Souls (Oratorio delle Anime).
Things to do in Siamaggiore
The plain around the village is perfect for short bike rides between vegetable plots and vineyards, and neighbouring Solarussa, about a kilometre away, is within walking distance. Oristano is minutes away and the Sinis beaches about half an hour. Scroll down to find experiences offered by local operators: excursions, visits and tastings around Oristano.
History
The name is often linked to a Roman road, the via maior, though its origin is uncertain. In the Middle Ages Siamaggiore belonged to the Giudicato of Arborea and was the head of the Campidano di Oristano district. After the giudicato ended it joined the Marquisate of Oristano and, from 1478, passed to the Aragonese as a fief; under Savoy rule it was part of the Marquisate of Arcais until feudal rights were bought out in 1839. It was merged with Solarussa from 1927 to 1946.
Food and local products
The countryside grows wheat, barley, pulses and vegetables, and above all the artichoke, star of the late-winter festival. Local vineyards produce Vernaccia di Oristano, an amber sipping wine to take home.
Festivals and traditions
- Artichoke festival: between February and March, with tastings of local dishes; held since 1992, it draws many visitors every year.
- San Costantino: patron saint's day on 23 April.
- San Ciriaco: in early August, at the country church.
Nearby
- Oristano (about 8 km): the Tower of Mariano II, the cathedral and the Antiquarium Arborense.
- Solarussa: the country church of San Gregorio and Vernaccia cellars.
- Tramatza: the Roman bridge.
- Cabras and Tharros: the museum of the Mont'e Prama Giants and the Phoenician-Punic city by the sea.
Getting there and when to go
Siamaggiore sits right by the SS131 Carlo Felice highway, close to Oristano. The handiest airports are Cagliari-Elmas (about an hour and a quarter by car) and Alghero (about an hour and a half). Spring is the nicest time, with green fields and the artichoke festival; autumn is lovely too.
FAQ
How long do I need for Siamaggiore?
A couple of hours is enough; combine it with Solarussa and Oristano for a full day.
When is the artichoke festival?
Traditionally between February and March: check the year's date before you go.
Is Siamaggiore near the sea?
It's not on the coast, but the beaches of the Gulf of Oristano and the Sinis are about 20–30 minutes by car.
