THE TREXENTA
MONTE SAN MAURO
(GESICO)
SANT’AMATORE (GESICO)
THE ORIGINS
The Trexenta is a historical region in the south-eastern part of
Sardinia. The origin of its name is uncertain. The Trexenta was one
of the 61 “curatorie” into which the kingdom of Sardinia was
divided and one of the 16 “curatorie”of the “Giudicato” of
Cagliari. The land is crossed by several torrential rivers (Santu
Terru, Mannu, Lanessi, Cardaxius) which are often dry in the
summer months. To the eyes of the visitors, the trexenta offers a
soothing landscape of hills and lowlands which becomes more
rugged in the proximity of the spurs and plateaus of the Sarcidano
and of Gerrei. The highest point of the territory is Mount Antas
(575m). From the distribution of the around 7000 still-existing
nuraghe in Saedinia, it becomes clear that the Trexenta area,
together with Marghine (0.9 nuraghe/ sq. Km), was the most
densely populated zone of the Island seeing that on a surface area
of 426 sq.km, (Mandas, Gesico and Siurgus Donigala included), the
number of nuraghe amounts to around 380. The territory of the
Trexenta was already densely populated in the prehistoric age as
show by the numerous settlements and sacred sites found all over
the area.
GESICO
HISTOIRE
The village is to be found in the northern part of Trexenta,
54 km away from Cagliari. In an area of 25.56 sq.km,
around 990 in-habitants live at an altitude of 230m above
sea level. Mount San Mauro (501m) dominates the
surroundig landscapes and a little church bearing the same
name is to be found on its top. The river Mannu crosses the
territory longitudinally and with its tributaries irrigates the
mainly marl or sandstone ground . Evidence of the Nuraghic
period are a megalithic tomb, numerous settlements, 15
nuraghe in poor condition, the so called tancato nuraghe of
“SU COVUNU” and two nuraghic villages “COLUMBUS” and
“ SAN SEBASTIANO”.
ARCHITECTURE AND ART
GESICO
The Gesico area once had six
churches plus the parish church. Only
four are still standing and religious
functions are only clebrated in four:
Santa Giusta, Sant’Amatore, Santa
Maria Itria e San Mauro.
SANTA GIUSTA
The parish of Saint Justine was built between
1400 and 1500 in Romanesque- Pisan style and
was modified into Gothic- Aragonese style. Saint
Justine is characterised by its lofty crenellated
facade and by its large square- based bell tower.
Inside there is a single wide nave with pointed
arches and a cross-valuted ceiling hewn in
trachyte and sandstone. On either side of this
nave there are a total of 8 chapels which are
adorned with paintings, sculptures and baroque
style polychrome marble altars. One of these is
attribuited to school of Nicodemus.
SANT’AMATORE
The rural church dedicated to S. Amatore built
in Byzantine style dating back to the 12°
century. This church honourus the martyrdom
of the bishop and hosts his grave and the silver
reliquary containing his relics. The church was
built on a Roman burial ground as can be seen
from some of the funeral structures inside. The
altar is a splendid 3 century Roman sarcophagus
sculpture with the image of deceased over two
cornucopia, with two winged genies on either
side. The present building mostly dates back to
the 17 century and was built on a preceding
Byzantine structure.
SANTA MARIA ITRIA
According to an ancient legend the ancient legend
the ancient parish church of Gesico was the church
dedicated to the “Holy Virgin of Itria. Reference to
a church of this name can be found in documents
dating back to 1212. the lintel above yhe portal
bears the inscription: ante quem 1305. In origin
the façade had a bell tower to sail, what time there
is not more. The plant of the building is to unique
aisle absidata; on the external side walls and in the
apse he can still see the hanging bows typical
Romanesque decorations. the building is realized
with blocks of averages dimensions of material
lapideo, while the roof, to double spiovente, is
supported by a truss.
SAN MAURO
S.Maurice is a
classical rural temple
which is of little
architectural interest
apart from the
surrounding loggias
POPULAR TRADITIONS
Sant'Isidoro is celebrated on May 15 in honor of the saint Spanish agriculturist.
The party starts the morning with the procession of the tractors and the believers
and during the procession the fields you/they are blessed. S. Sebastiano, saint
martyr, on January 24 is celebrated with procession that he/she takes beginning
from the parish and it finishes with the arrival of the believers to the rural
chiesetta by now demolished where you/he/she is turned on a bonfire in his/her
honor. S.Correct, to which a church is entitled built in the XV sec, it is the
patrona of the country and in his/her honor a great party is celebrated in May.
S.Mauro is celebrated in September instead on the homonym mountain to 5 Km
from the country. Nevertheless the party more felt and that it recalls more people
are that of Sant'Amatore, that falls in third Sunday of the month of October.The
civil celebrations are constituted by the feast of the snails, been born in 1992
frequented and attended by everybody.Gesico has been admitted in the prestigious
club of the "twelve cities of the snails" Italian. On third Sundays of October are to
the insignia of base dishes of "sitzigorrusu": snails with the fregola, to the juice,
with the grated bread.