Macomer

Macomer Macumere
Comune
Comune di Macomer
Panorama of Macomer Panorama of Macomer
Macomer Location of Macomer in Sardinia
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Sardinia
Province / Metropolitan city	Nuoro (NU)
Government
• Mayor	Antonio Succu (since May 2013)
Area
• Total	122.58 km2 (47.33 sq mi)
Elevation	550 m (1,800 ft)
Population (December 31, 2004)
• Total	10,991
• Density	90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	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 it 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, it 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 1949, a statue called The Venus of Macomer was discovered in a cave located in "Marras" area, in a gorge of the river S'Adde. The artifact depicts a Goddess Mother dating back to the Palaeolithic period. It is about 14 centimetres (5.5 in) high and was built with local basalt. It is currently kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari.

Nowadays, Macomer is a destination for tourists who wants to admire the beautiful landscape around the city.

File:Tamuli.JPG

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 one. Recently an ethnographic museum called "Le Arti Antiche" (The ancient Arts) has been opened, where it is possible to see tools traditionally used for agriculture and livestock, folk costumes, and photographs. The Monte di Sant'Antonio (St. Anthony's Mountain) has a great historical and naturalistic importance; on 13 June of every year the anniversary of the Saint of Padua is celebrated there, which draws in thousands of faithful and tourists from all over Sardinia .

File:Panorama di Macomer.jpg

Panorama di Macomer