Santa Giusta - Basilica di Santa Giusta

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano.

The pretty large cathedral was erected by Pisan workers and completed in 1145. Over the centuries some major alterations took place. The western facade, built from limestones, cut in large ashlars. The portal is flanked by a lion and a lioness.

About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. A Phoenician necropolis, dated to the 7th century BC, was as well excavated nearby.