Page 132 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

130  SARDINIA AREA B Y AREA

8 Bosa

Dominated by the Castello dei Malaspina, the pastel-
coloured houses of Bosa lie on the right bank of the Temo
river, the only navigable river in Sardinia. The town was
originally founded by the Phoenicians on the opposite bank
of the river. In the Middle Ages, under threat from constant
pirate raids, the townspeople sought the protection of the
Malaspina family on the slopes of the hill of Serravalle. Bosa
was granted the status of royal city under Spanish rule and
always maintained a close relationship with the Iberian
peninsula. This fascinating town is famous for its artisan
traditions of gold-filigree jewellery and lace-making. In the Interior of the Cathedral in Bosa, with
Sa Costa medieval quarter, a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys Baroque ornamentation
and steps, you can still see women sitting outside their
homes making lace. Environmentalists say the nearby of old black-and-white
seaside is the cleanest in Italy. photographs. On the second
floor is a fine re construction of
the elegant Deriu apartment,
R Cathedral buildings and goldsmiths’ with its olive wood parquet,
Piazza Duomo. Tel 0785 37 32 86. workshops where filigree and frescoed vaulted ceiling,
Open 9–11:30am, 3–5pm daily (3:30– coral jewellery are made. majolica tiles from Ravenna
6:30pm in summer). and locally made lace curtains.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, E Casa Deriu The top floor houses the
the Cathedral was rebuilt in the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 59. Pinaco teca Civica
19th century in the majestic late Tel 0785 37 70 43. (municipal art
Baroque Pied montese style. In Open summer: gallery), featuring
the interior is a statue of the 10am–1pm, 4–8pm the collection of
Madonna and Child, of the Tue–Sun; winter: by Melkiorre Melis,
Catalan school, sculpted in the appointment. 8 a local artist and
16th century. On either side of Casa Deriu is a one of the leading
the main altar are two marble typical 19th-century promoters of
lions killing dragons. The side Bosa building which 20th-century
altars are made of multi- has been trans- applied arts
coloured marble. formed into an Detail of the architrave in Sardinia.
exhibition centre. of San Pietro The works on
P Corso Vittorio Emanuele II The first floor features display span a
The main street in Bosa, paved traditional local products 70-year period of graphic art, oil
with stone, runs parallel to the such as cakes, wine and painting, ceramics and posters.
river. It is lined with aristocratic bread, as well as a display There are also Arab-influenced
works of Melis, executed while
he headed the Muslim School
of Arts and Crafts in Tripoli.
P Castello Malaspina
Via Ultima Costa 14. Tel 340 395 50 48.
Open 15–31 Mar & 1–15 Nov: 10am–
1pm daily; Apr–Jun: 10am–7pm daily;
Jul–Aug: 10am–7:30pm daily; Sep:
10am–6pm daily; Oct: 10am–5pm
daily; 16 Nov–14 Mar: by appt only.
& 8 ∑ castellodibosa.it
Built in 1112 by the Malaspina
dello Spino Secco family, this
castle is still impressive, even
though only its towers and
outer walls have survived. It was
enlarged in the 1300s, when the
main tower, built of light ochre
trachyte, was added. Inside the
walls the only building standing
Bosa as seen from the Temo river, with fishing boats is the church of Nostra Signora
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p178 and p188

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