Masullas
Masullas: a small hill town in Sardinia
Masullas is a town located in the province of Oristano, in Sardinia, with a population of about 1047 inhabitants. This municipality is part of the Union of municipalities of Parte Montis and extends over an area of 18.88 km². The landscape is hilly and uncultivated, characteristic of the Marmilla region, and the Riu Mannu river flows within it.
Its history
Masullas has a rich history dating back to the Judical period. During this period, it was part of the Giudicato of Arborea, in the curatorship of Montangia or Parte Montis. When the Judicato fell in 1420, it became part of the Marquisate of Oristano. Subsequently, with the definitive defeat of the Arborenses in 1478, it passed under Aragonese rule and was incorporated into the Incontrada of Parte Montis. The village was then occupied by the troops of the feudal lord of Quirra Berengario Bertran Carroz, who married Eleonora Manriquez and officially obtained control from the king until the extinction of the Bertran Carroz in 1511.
In 1603, Masullas was incorporated into the Marquisate of Quirra, a fiefdom first of the Centelles until 1670, then of the Català and finally (from 1766) of the Osorio de la Cueva. During this period, the village suffered from increased taxation, but the distance from the feudal lord allowed widespread evasion that allowed the village economy greater prosperity. The village was redeemed from the last feudal lords in 1839, with the suppression of the feudal system.
In 1821, Masullas was annexed to the province of Oristano, and then detached in 1848, becoming part of the administrative division of Cagliari. In 1927, the municipality of Masullas was merged by royal decree with the municipalities of Siris (Italy) and Pompu, regaining its administrative autonomy in 1961.
Its religious architecture
Masullas is a municipality that has preserved several religious architectures that are worth visiting. Among the most important are the Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Graces, the Church of Santa Lucia and the Church of San Leonardo.
The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Graces is a building dating back to the seventeenth century with Baroque influences. The facade of the church is in neoclassical style and has a bell gable. Inside, you can admire a series of paintings depicting religious scenes.
The Church of Santa Lucia dates back to the fourteenth century and was the reference point for one of the nuclei that formed the village. The building consists of a single nave without an apse, reinforced on the north side by buttresses built in the 1980s. Inside, you can admire a seventeenth-century simulacrum of Santa Lucia.
The Church of San Leonardo was probably built in the mid-thirteenth century on a pre-existing Byzantine binavate building. The building is characterized by a single nave, covered by wooden trusses, and a semicircular apse. The facade features a Pisan Romanesque style and is topped with a bell gable.
Conclusions
Masullas is a small town that offers many opportunities for those who love art and history. Its religious architectures are a true treasure for the Italian cultural heritage and for the tourism of Sardinia. In addition, the hilly and uncultivated landscape makes Masullas a perfect place to visit for those looking for some tranquility and peace. If you are in Sardinia, do not miss the opportunity to visit Masullas and discover everything that the town has to offer.
