The municipality of Simala stands on a fertile valley, passed through by Rio Mannu (river). Ancient geographical maps of Sardinia indicate as “Sacred Area” the zone where Riu Mannu (river) flows, probably because it was hallowed to the ancestral[1] water cult.
The territory experienced a much more ancient anthropic presence, linked to the precious obsidian fields of Mount Arci. Among the numerous remains of nuraghic epoch , there are a tomb of giants in Piscina Craba locality and various nuraghs (Gemussi, Is Canabis de Gemussi, Motroxiu 'e Nigoba, Su Sensu, Serra S'Ollastu, Is Gruxis, Is Putzus, Su Iaccu Longu, Nuracci).
In the third century B.C. Simala was conquered by Romans: the remains of some washing wells, a foundry and a rural residence in Gemussi locality, go back to that period.
Simala historic centre probably formed in the high Middle Age, in consequence of the depopulation of the various Roman settlements, that were left for a more salubrious and safer place. Its roads are tortuous, with houses “a corte” (with a court), preceded by monumental traditional entrance portals: Simala has at least fifty portals of great value. Along the roads Via Roma and St. Vitalia there stand some gentleman's residences of neoclassical inspiration, belonging to the village wealthier families. The most ancient of them goes back to 1554 and was built by the Monserrat Deana family, as the epigraph carved on the entrance architrave says.
Simala Parish church, rebuilt on a prior construction, goes back to the eighteenth century and is dedicated to St. Nicholas, patron saint of the village. The feast in honour of the saint is celebrated every 6th of December: the day before, in the main square of the village, a big feast takes place, with the lighting of a votive bonfire and the offering of castagnata and new wine just leaked out.
The first Monday of October is finally time for the celebrations of St. Vitalia’s feast, in the country church dedicated to her, with a very tfelt procession with plenty of the faithful in costume and horsemen.
Municipality web site: www.comune.simala.or.it
© GalMarmilla