Bosa

Bosa
Comune
Comune di Bosa

view of Bosa from the Serravalle's Castle

Coat of arms
Bosa

Location of Bosa in Sardinia

Coordinates: 40°18′N 8°30′E / 40.300°N 8.500°E / 40.300; 8.500
Country Italy
Region Sardinia
Province / Metropolitan city Oristano (OR)
Frazioni Bosa Marina
Government
  Mayor Luigi Mastino
Area
  Total 135.67 km2 (52.38 sq mi)
Elevation 5 m (16 ft)
Population (1 January 2009)
  Total 8,126
  Density 60/km2 (160/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bosani
Bosincos
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 08013
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. 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 1112 by the Malaspina, 2½ km (1½ miles) from the site of the ancient town (Bosa or Calmedia)[1] 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 family until the 14th century when it was taken over by the House of Aragon. Along with the rest of Sardinia, it was later ruled by Spain via royal marriage. For a short period in between it was a part of the independent Kingdom of Arborea (Giudicato of Arborea).

Sources and references

  1.  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bosa". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Bosa.
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