Turcus e Morus Museum
Turcus e Morus Museum
Gonnostramatza, Turcus e Morus Museum
The Turcus e Morus Museum in Gonnostramatza holds twelve centuries of history. The theme is the Berber invasions of Sardinia, a unique topic of its kind, which deals with the times when pirates from across the Mediterranean invaded the coasts of the island for purposes of robbery, terrorising the local people. The museum opened in 2001, based on the pointer offered to academics by an inscription on a slab of tufa stone, containing the words of a survivor of the assault on the village of Uras, on 5 April, 1515, when the crews of the pirate Barbarossa, the bey of Tunisi, and the admiral of the ottoman fleet, KhayrAl-Din (1466-1548) invaded the town after crossing the Campidano plain. The inscription, probably deposited there by the refugee, is stili present in the little church of San Paolo, near the lost village of Sèrzela, in the countryside of Gonnostramatza, and cites «turcus e morus» in the service of Barbarossa.The exhibition accompanies the visitor through the three centuries prior to the year One Thousand, when the first Muslim pirates reached south-western Sardinia, starting their forays, up until the last incursions, in the first decades of the 19th century. The material exhibited is divided into four thematic areas which describe the events, the men, the ships and the towers. The museum offers an unconventional viewpoint, since originai documents or finds are not viewable, but only images, words and objets d'artwhich recount an aspect of Sardinian history which has never been examined in detail. There are 35 large illustrateci panels on the walis of the building and a brief itinerary revolving around three life-sized models; these meticulously reproduce a Sardinian volunteer soldier, a Berber pirate and a slave. Various models and dioramas are present in the corners, showing a coastal defence tower, several miniature boats, including the typical' Berber xebec, a scene of pirates disembarking and a battle between the Sardinian militia and the pirates. Lastly, a large wooden and glass case houses different weapons and instruments of war, comparing Western and Muslim traditions. The Turcus e Morus Museum is housed in the structure of the former Monte Granatico, which was built around 1800. The Monti Granatici were institutes for the storage and loaning of grain available to the local community. The one in Gonnostramatza dates to around 1640.
The structure, built with blocks of white limestone, has a main rectangular shaped part, divided by a centrai wall with three large arches supporting the two-sided roof, entirely in wood. The side looking out onto the courtyard, where a splendid, centuries- old olive tree grows, was extended during the various restoration works over the last centuries, and has three arched entrances. The construction is on the right side of the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, where it is also possible lo visit the retable dated 1501, the work of the master craftsman of Stampace, Lorenzo Cavaro. Behind the church there is an enchanting glimpse of Santa Vittoria hill, named after the littie church of the same name which existed many centuries ago.The Turcus and Morus Museum, besides housing the story of the clashes and relations between the Christian and Muslim population, also hosts temporary exhibitions, often directed towards the exhibiting of modern and contemporary art, frequently linked to the themes, landscapes or people participating in the most troubled and mysterious events of Sardinian history. The Museum traces a route between past and present which, through historical research and the interpretation of art, crafts, traditions and manufacturing, teaches the visitor aboutlittle-known events which have not been extensively studied. conosciute e indagate.Alessio Mandis
