Samugheo facts for kids

Samugheo is a town in the Province of Oristano in the Italian region of Sardinia. It is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Cagliari. It is also about 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Oristano.

Samugheo shares borders with several other towns. These include Allai, Asuni, Atzara, Busachi, Laconi, Meana Sardo, Ortueri, Ruinas, and Sorgono.

A Quick Look at Samugheo's History

People have lived in the Samugheo area since the Stone Age. We know this from ancient tombs called domus de Janas. These tombs are found at a place called Spelunca Orre.

During the Bronze Age, important sites were built. These include the Giants' tomb of Paule Luturu. There are also nuraghes (ancient stone towers) at Perda Orrubia.

You can still see signs of the Byzantine period. This includes old religious customs. There is also Medusa Castle. This castle is named after a legend about Queen Medusa. The fortress is built into a cliff. It was carved out of marble. It was first built between the 4th and 5th centuries. More parts were added until the 12th century. Today, the castle is covered in plants. But you can still see parts of its walls. There is also a water tank and two old towers.

Important Churches in Samugheo

Samugheo has several old churches. The Church of San Basilio was built in the 16th century. San Basilio is the town's patron saint. A legend says he saved the town from a terrible sickness.

The Church of San Sebastiano might be from the 13th century. It was made bigger in the 15th century. It has a cross shape and old decorations.

The sanctuary of Santa Maria di Abbasassa is another important religious building. It was built high up, 450 meters (1,476 feet) above sea level. It stands where an old pagan temple used to be.

The oldest church might be San Michele. It is now in ruins. People once thought the town's name came from this church. But old documents show this is not true.

Fun Festivals and Traditions

The most famous festival in Samugheo is A Maimone. This is a special carnival. It features unique masks from the Barbagia region. The carnival season starts in mid-January. This is when bonfires are lit for Sant’Antonio and San Sebastiano.

Samugheo's Amazing Textile Art

Samugheo is famous for its incredible textile crafts. This skill has been passed down for hundreds of years. The town has about 3,000 people. It is known for making beautiful rugs, tapestries, and traditional clothes.

Samugheo is part of the "Borghi Autentici d’Italia" (Authentic Villages of Italy) group. It is surrounded by wild and green nature. You can find hills, rocky cliffs, and oak forests. There are also many caves, like the 'dell’Aquila' cave.

Why Weaving is Special in Samugheo

Weaving was common across Sardinia a very long time ago. This was even before the Nuragic age. We know this because tools for weaving have been found everywhere. These tools include weights and spindles.

In more recent times, weaving was very important for families. It was a big part of the local economy. Women often did most of the weaving. Mothers taught their daughters how to spin and weave. The secrets of dyeing fabrics and creating patterns were like family treasures.

Young women would weave items for their dowry before marriage. A dowry included things like blankets, sheets, and towels. They also made clothes and even a special bag for their future husband.

In the mid-1800s, Samugheo was known for its weaving. People wove not just for their families but also to sell. This was partly because the town had many sheep for wool. There was also plenty of water to prepare linen.

Modern Textile Success

Between the 1950s and 1960s, Samugheo became a busy center for textile making. This helped the local economy a lot. Weavers in Samugheo used methods from all over Sardinia. But they also used an older method called un’in dente.

A special weaving style developed here called a pibiones. This creates loops that stick out from the fabric. It makes a raised design. This method also made the fabric stronger. It helped it last longer. This style became very popular. Even today, when people think of Sardinian weaving, they often think of this style from Samugheo.

Since then, Samugheo's woven textiles have been very successful. Artisanal weaving has become a main part of the town's economy. Today, people want many different items. These include rugs, bags, and table linens. They also buy curtains, lamps, and wall hangings.

See also

In Spanish: Samugheo para niños