Macomer

Macomer
—  Comune  —
Comune di Macomer
Coat of arms
Macomer Location of Macomer in Italy
Coordinates: 40°16′N 08°47′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Province	Nuoro (NU)
Government
• Mayor	Riccardo Uda (since June 2008)
Area
• Total	122.58 km2 (47.33 sq mi)
Elevation	550 m (1,800 ft)
Population (December 31, 2004)
• Total	10,991
• Density	Bad rounding here90/km2 (Bad rounding here230/sq mi)
Demonym	Macomeresi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	08015
Dialing code	0785
Patron saint	St. Pantaleone
Saint day	July 27th

Macomer (Sardinian: Macumère) is a town and comune of Sardinia (Italy) in the province of Nuoro. It is situated on the southern ascent to the central plateau (the Campeda) of this part of Sardinia, at the junction of narrow-gauge lines branching from the main railroad line running east to Nuoro and west to Bosa.

The district, especially the Campeda, is well suited for grazing and horse and cattle breeding, which is carried on to a considerable extent.

History

Macomer, known to the Greek geographer Ptolemy as "Macopsissa," has been inhabited since antiquity. In 1478 has been the scene of historic battle between the Sardinians and the Aragonese, which ended the independence of Sardinia. Since 1767, under the Kingdom of Sardinia, was the capital of the Marquisate of Marghine. The Marquisate included the nearby villages of Birori, Bolotana, Borore, Bortigali, Dualchi, Lei, Mulargia, Noragugume and Silanus.

In a cave located in Marras area, in a gorge of the river S'Adde, was discovered in 1949 a statue called The Venus of Macomer, now kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari. The artifact depicts a Goddess Mother dating back to the Palaeolithic period. Is about 14 cm high, and was built with local basalt stone. Nowadays, Macomer is a destination for tourists who wants to admire the beautiful landscape around the city.

The archaeological site of Tamuli is one of the attractions of Macomer.

Main sights

The region is richer in the bronze-age towers known as nuraghi than any other part of Sardinia.

The old parish church of San Pantaleone has three Roman mile-stones in front of it, belonging to the Roman high-road from Carales to Turris Libisonis. A modern road now follows the ancient. Recently it has been opened a ethnographic museum called "Le Arti Antiche" (The ancient Arts), where it's possible to see tools traditionally used for agriculture and livestock, folk costumes, photographs. The Monte di Sant'Antonio (St.Antonio's Mount) have a great historical and naturalistic importance; on June 13 of every year is celebrated there the anniversary of the Saint of Padua, which leads thousands of faithful and tourists from all over Sardinia .