Massama
A brief introduction to Massama
Hello everyone! Let me introduce you to Massama, a small town located in the Campidano region of central western Sardinia. It is a geographical fraction of the municipality of Oristano and has a population of around 600 inhabitants. Today, I will talk about the physical geography of Massama, its ancient and modern history, and its monuments and places of interest.
Physical geography
Terrain
Massama's terrain borders other municipalities and fractions in the area, such as Zeddiani, Siamaggiore, and Silì. It is a flat area, with a few natural elevations, but it has some watercourses such as the Su barrocu and S'arriu streams and the canal riu nura craba. The fertile land is suitable for vegetable crops, cereals, vineyards, olive groves, and orchards.
Climate
Massama's Mediterranean climate offers hot summers and mild winters, with rainfall concentrated between October and May. The coldest months are January and February, while the warmest are July and August. In short, it is the ideal climate to enjoy the beauty of this part of Sardinia.
History
Massama has been inhabited since ancient times, with eneolithic and nuragic remains that testify to the antiquity of the territory. During the Roman era, the town was located along the via Maxima, an important road artery that connected Tharros to Forum Traiani. The name Massama itself derives from a Statio (war) that existed along this road.
In the Middle Ages, Massama became part of the Giudicato of Arborea and became part of the curatoria of Campidano Maggiore. In the following period, the town passed under the marchese of Oristano and then under the marchese of Arcais, a fiefdom of the Nurra family. After the abolition of the provinces in 1848, Massama was included in the administrative division of Cagliari and later in the province of Oristano.
During its history, Massama also faced difficult moments, such as the plague epidemic in 1652 and the flooding of the Tirso river in 1917, which caused the collapse of many houses. In 1927, the town was included in the municipality of Oristano as a fraction.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architectures
One of the main attractions of Massama is its parish church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Other important churches include the oratory of the Souls and the church of San Nicola, located in the former cemetery of the town. All three churches have an ancient history dating back centuries, and are certainly places of great artistic and cultural interest.
Green areas
The town of Massama is located in a particularly fertile and green area thanks to the proximity of the Tirso river. Even within the town center, there are some green areas where you can take a walk and relax while enjoying the view.
In conclusion, if you are in Sardinia and want to discover a small gem of Campidano, do not hesitate to visit Massama! An ancient and fascinating history, unique monuments and places of interest, and a natural territory that will leave you breathless.
