Oristano Aristanis |
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Comune | |
Comune di Oristano | |
Oristano: Statue of Eleanor of Arborea, holding the Carta de Logu in her hand, with the sundial on the wall of the City Hall in the backdrop.
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Location of Oristano in Sardinia | |
Coordinates: 39°54′N 08°35′E / 39.900°N 8.583°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Sardinia |
Province / Metropolitan city | Oristano (OR) |
Frazioni | Donigala, Massama, Marina di Torre Grande, Nuraxinieddu, Silì, Torre Grande |
Government | |
• Mayor | Guido Tendas (Centre-left) |
Area | |
• Total | 84.63 km2 (32.68 sq mi) |
Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
Population (31 December 2010) | |
• Total | 32,156 |
• Density | 380/km2 (980/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Oristanesi Aristanesus |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Postal code | 09170 |
Dialing code | 0783 |
Patron saint | St. Archelaus |
Saint day | February 13 |
Website | Official website |
Oristano [oriˈstaːno] listen (Sardinian: Aristanis) is an Italian city and comune, and capital of the Province of Oristano in the central-western part of the island of Sardinia. It is located on the northern part of the Campidano plain. It was established as the provincial capital on 16 July 1974. As of December 2010[update], the city had 32,165 inhabitants.
The economy of Oristano is based mainly on services, agriculture, tourism and small industries.
Oristano was previously known by the Byzantines as Aristanis (in Byzantine Greek: Αριστάνις), and founded close to the ancient Phoenician settlement of Othoca (now Santa Giusta). It acquired importance in 1070, when, as a result of the frequent Saracen attacks, Archbishop Torcotorio made it the seat of the bishopric, which was previously in the nearby coastal town of Tharros. It also became the capital of the giudicato ("judiciary", equivalent to a Duchy or Kingdom) of Arborea. Consequently, fortifications were designed, but the building thereof went on until judge Mariano II rose to power.