Villamassargia has 3,655 inhabitants in the Sulcis-Iglesiente, and the name says farmer: villa plus massargia, from the medieval Latin massaria, the land of the steward. Just outside the village is S'Ortu Mannu, a wood of centuries-old olive trees that has become a public park: the biggest is called Sa Reina, the Queen, and at the base it measures sixteen metres round.
In Roman times the aqueduct of Caput Aquas passed this way, carrying water as far as Cagliari. On the hill to the south-east stands the castle of Gioiosa Guardia, which at the end of the thirteenth century was stormed by Guelfo della Gherardesca, son of count Ugolino, in a revolt put down by the forces of Pisa. The church of San Ranieri was built in 1307, when a large Tuscan community lived in the village, and in the Spanish period its dedication was changed to Nostra Signora del Pilar. The barony of Gioiosa Guardia came to an end only in 1839, with the abolition of the fiefs.
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Near Villamassargia
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Places to see within 25 km
Outside Villamassargia, but an easy day trip away.