Padria
Discovering Padria: a historic town in Sardinia
Padria is a small town in the province of Sassari, Sardinia, with around 601 inhabitants. Despite its small size, this town holds a fascinating ancient history. The territory covers 48.03 km² and is located in the Meilogu region, in the northwest of Sardinia. In this article, we will explore the physical geography of Padria, its ancient history and its evolution over the centuries.
Physical geography
Territory
Padria is nestled in a beautiful natural landscape. The town is situated at the foot of three hills: San Giuseppe, San Paolo and San Pietro. The territory extends into the Temo Valley and borders the municipalities of Monteleone Rocca Doria, Romana and Cossoine to the north, the municipality of Mara to the east, the municipality of Pozzomaggiore to the south and southeast, and the municipalities of Bosa and Villanova Monteleone to the west. The Temo river runs through the territory of Padria and represents the main watercourse in this area. The river originates in the Municipality of Villanova Monteleone and flows into the sea in Alghero. The territory of Padria is rich in sources of freshwater and particular watercourses, such as the river Su' Entale, which marks the border with the municipalities of Bosa and Montresta.
History
The ancient city of Gurulis Vetus
The Padria area has been inhabited since the Neolithic and Nuragic periods. There are numerous archaeological sites, such as domus de janas, tombs of giants, and nuraghi. The present site of Padria dates back to the Punic civilization and was identified with Gurulis Vetus, corresponding to the "Gouroulis Palaia" mentioned by the Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy. In the territory of Padria, there are the remains of three Roman bridges, namely Ponte Ettòri, Ponte Ulumu and Ponte Enas. Moreover, not far from Padria, there is an ancient silver mine, now disused, called Salghertalzu.
The medieval town
During the Judicate period, the town of Padria was part of the Judicate of Torres, inserted into the curatoria of Cabuabbas, with the ancient name of Gurulis Vetus. After the fall of the Judicate in 1259, the town passed under the lordship of the Doria family, and around 1354 under Aragonese domination. The town lost its strategic importance and the capital was moved to Monteleone. Over the centuries, Padria has undergone numerous changes of ownership. In 1839, the lordship passed to the Amat di San Filippo and from 1859, when the feudal system was abolished in Sardinia, the town became a municipality.
Life today
Culture and traditions
Padria still preserves numerous testimonies of the past, such as the Church of Santa Giulia, dating back to the Middle Ages. The church contains numerous frescoes and works of art of great historical and artistic value. In addition, every year, in August, the Feast of Santa Giulia takes place, during which various cultural and religious activities are held in honor of the patron saint of the town. Padria is also known for the production of traditional Sardinian rugs, called "su mazzamurru". These carpets are made with sheep's wool and natural colors, such as the yellow of myrtle or the red of fennel.
Tourism
Padria represents an ideal destination for nature and history lovers. The territory offers numerous hikes or cycling trips to discover the surrounding landscapes and the most important archaeological sites. Moreover, the town is located a few kilometers from the sea and the beaches of the western coast of Sardinia. Padria is also the starting point to reach numerous tourist destinations of interest, such as Bosa, Alghero and Sassari.
Conclusion
Padria is an enchanting place that encloses a millenary history. This small town has been inhabited since the Neolithic period and has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, first passing under the lordship of the Doria family and then under Aragonese domination. Today, Padria represents an ideal destination for nature, history, and Sardinian culture lovers. If you have the opportunity to visit Sardinia, we recommend making a stop in Padria and discovering everything this town has to offer.
