Explore Terralba: A Hidden Gem in Oristano Province
Located in the fertile plain at the southwest end of the Arborèa reclamation, Terralba is a bustling hub for wine production in Italy.
The name Terralba originates from Latin words “terra,” meaning land, and “alba,” white, referring to the area’s distinct plain of light soil composed of whitish clays covered by a layer of earth, sand, and gravel about two meters thick.
While the ancient charm of the village has vanished, once being an episcopal see until 1503, remnants like the late Baroque-style parish church of San Pietro stand on the site of the ancient Santa Maria cathedral, likely built in 1144 by artisans who also worked on San Giusta.
The territory of Terralba has been inhabited since Neolithic times due to its fertile sandy soils. Evidence found in various rural sites like San Giovanni, San Ciriaco, and Bau Angius dates back to the Ozieri Culture. Although there are traces of Nuragic civilization in Terralba’s territory, most known artifacts stem from the Punic domination era.
