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 inland on the north bank of the Temo River. It is the only town on the island of Sardinia built on the banks of a river.
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
ancient Rome 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.
Sources and references
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