Bosa

For other uses, see Bosa (disambiguation).

Bosa
Comune
Comune di Bosa
view of Bosa from the Serravalle's Castle
Coat of arms
Location of Bosa
Bosa Location of Bosa in Sardinia Bosa Bosa (Sardinia)
Coordinates: 40°18′N 8°30′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Province	Oristano (OR)
Frazioni	Bosa Marina
Government
• Mayor	Piero Franco Casula
Area
• Total	135.67 km2 (52.38 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population  (1 January 2009)
• Total	8,126
• Density	60/km2 (160/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Bosani Bosincos
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	09089
Dialing code	0785
ISTAT code	095079
Patron saint	St. Emilius and Priamus
Saint day	May 28
Website	Official website

Bosa and its castle seen from the river Temo

An aerial view of Bosa

Historical City Clock

Bosa is a town and comune in the province of Oristano (until May 2005 it was in the province of Nuoro), part of the Sardinia region of Italy. Bosa is situated about two-thirds of the way up the west coast of Sardinia, on a small hill, about 3 kilometres (2 miles) inland on the north bank of the Temo River. The town has maintained a population of around 8,000 people for a significant amount of time, but has an urban character that has differentiated it from other locations in Sardinia. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). Agriculture and fishing play an important part in the city economy, thanks to the river valley near the coast surrounded by hills and highland plateaus.

History

The area was inhabited since prehistorical times, as attested by the presence of several domus de janas and nuraghe. It was probably founded by the Phoenicians, although little is known about the original settlement. Under the Romans it was a municipium. The present town of Bosa was founded in 13th century by the Malaspina family, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the site of the ancient town. In the early Middle Ages, as part of the Giudicato of Logudoro, it was a provincial capital. After the construction of the Malaspina Castle, the population gradually moved from the seaside to the hills.

It remained in the hands of the Malaspina until the 14th century, when it was taken over by the Crown of Aragon. Along with the rest of Sardinia, it was later ruled by Spain. For a short period in between, it was a part of the Giudicato of Arborea.

Bosa is known for a classical way of saying: you do like they do in Bosa: if it rains, they let it rains.

Museums

While smaller than Sardinia's major cities, Bosa offers several museums and cultural attractions that provide insight into the town's unique heritage and traditions. These institutions count among the essential things to see in Bosa for visitors interested in a deeper understanding of local history and craftsmanship.

Casa Deriu Museum

Housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century bourgeois residence on the riverfront, Casa Deriu Museum (Museo Casa Deriu) offers visitors the chance to step into the world of Bosa's prosperous merchant class. The museum preserves the original furnishings, decorations, and domestic objects of a wealthy local family, providing a glimpse into daily life during Bosa's economic heyday.

Tanneries Museum

One of the most distinctive chapters in the history of Bosa involved its tannery industry, which flourished along the riverbanks from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century. The Tanneries Museum (Museo delle Conce) preserves this industrial heritage in the actual buildings where leather was once processed.

External links

• On Line Guide
• Conoscibosa Tourist information
• Bosa Guide
• BOSAinfo tourist information