The main highway on Sardinia, the Strada Statale 131 Carlo Felice runs from south to north and connects Cagliari, the capital of the region, with Sassari, the main city in the north. Just passed Oristano it runs along the valley of the Tirso, through the plains of the Campidano first and then climbing to the highland plateau of Abbasanta. The road continues to climb higher until it reaches Macomer on the highland plateau of Campeda. The railroad, single track, runs up to this point parallel to the highway but then starts winding up the sides of the slopes in large curves to reach Macomer at the highest point.

The landscape around Nuraghe Losa

The second route that is described in this article starts in Oristano and will take you over the highway ss131 to Abbasanta, stopping by two of the most important prehistorical sites of Sardinia; the sanctuary of Santa Cristina and the complex Nuraghe Losa. Then the itinerary turns to the valley of the Tirso, where on it's banks lies the site of Forum Traiani (Fordongianus) and then along the other side of the Tirso back to Santa Giusta, the former Phoenician-Punic settlement of Othoca. There is little left of an archeological site at Santa Giusta, but the church still contains some treasures worthwhile seeing. The archeological sites are all maintained by cooperations of volunteers working with the townships of Paulilatino, Abbasanta and Fordongianus in preserving the site and they organise also guided tours.

The first part of this itinerary begins in Oristano and following the ss131 brings you to the junction of the archeological site of Santa Cristina. The site lies next to the highway and there is a large parkingspace available.

The sacred well at the
site of Santa Cristina

The second part of this itinerary goes to the site of the multitowered Nuraghe Losa which is not very far from Santa Cristina. The nuraghe site just off the highway next to the junction of the ss131 with the highway to Nuoro.

Nuraghe Losa

The third part of the itinerary follows the road to the valley of the river Tirso and the town of Fordongianus.

The natatio of the baths
at Forum Traianus

In the town of Fordongianus stands the Casa Aragonese. This house was built in the sixteenth century and has not changed with it's original fireplaces and courtyard.

The fourth part of the itinerary goes back to Oristano to the small town of Santa Giusta. It passes through the hillside near Fordongianus and then along the ricefields of the valley of the Tirso.

The roman bridge at Santa Giusta

Of the ancient town there remains almost nothing to be seen, many new houses have been built since then, but if you visit the church of Santa Giusta you will see in it's interior many different columns that were reused from roman villa's and roman public buildings.

For the last part of the itinerary to return to Oristano is just a short ride. On Oristano, and what it offers see the description of the first itinerary.