Bosa: A Magnificent Village in the Heart of Sardinia

Bosa means loving oneself and surrendering to timeless beauty. Because this Sardinian municipality is not just a village, not just the clear and poetic crystalline sea, not just modern infrastructure coexisting with a 12th-century village: Bosa is a true corner of paradise, a place that celebrates the harmony between humanity and nature.

So let’s discover together what to visit.

The Historic Center

Bosa’s historic center is the largest in Sardinia and is well known for its vibrant palette of colors. It’s no coincidence that it’s also called the “rainbow village,” thanks to the bright and varied hues of its houses.

Built as early as the 12th century, it includes the ancient homes of leather tannery workers—once the pride of Bosa’s economy. Due to the need for water in the tanning process, it’s also the only historic center in Sardinia located along the Temo River, which is now navigable and crossed by the ancient Ponte Vecchio.

Exploring this part of Bosa means living a unique experience: walking past ancient doorways, cobblestone streets, descending narrow alleys that lead to the sea, and being surrounded by the colorful harmony of the houses—these are all elements that captivate both the eyes and the heart.

In the historic center stands the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. In typical Baroque style, its grandeur is its defining feature. It includes two domes, both covered in majolica tiles, and a bell tower made of red sandstone. The Rococo-style façade confirms the strength and magnificence of this architectural masterpiece.

Inside, the cathedral has four naves illuminated by ten large windows, each 17 meters tall. The splendid light harmonizes with the religious statues present: the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of the Sea, and Saints Peter and Paul. The presbytery is adorned with a majestic elliptical marble staircase.

The Serravalle hill, at the foot of which the historic center lies, is dominated by the Malaspina Castle, built by the powerful Malaspina family in the early 12th century. Legend has it that the jealous marquis built a passageway from the castle to the cathedral so his beautiful wife could attend church away from prying eyes. One day, in a fit of rage, he cut off her fingers and wrapped them in a handkerchief. Forgetting his madness, he later pulled the handkerchief from his pocket in front of friends—the fingers fell out, and he was discovered and imprisoned. According to legend, some rocks of the castle are said to be her petrified fingers or horrified witnesses turned to stone.

Inside the castle walls is the Church of Nostra Signora de sos Regnos Altos (14th–15th century), adorned with Spanish frescoes. Evocative celebrations are held here at the end of September.

From the castle, one can imagine Bosa in the 17th century, completely enclosed by walls. The view from above offers a spectacular panorama of the multicolored houses along the right bank of the Temo, the ancient tanneries on the opposite side, and the Ponte Vecchio connecting the two shores.

Leather Tanning Museum

As mentioned, Bosa is especially known for its tanneries. On the left bank of the Temo River stands the splendid Leather Tanning Museum. The museum was created as part of a project to restore the buildings that once housed the ancient tanneries, active since the 1700s.

Since 1970, the municipality has recognized the importance of revitalizing an area that serves as a testament not only to Bosa’s industrial past but also to its proto-industrial architecture. The buildings, all lined up along the riverbank, have two floors and retain the original colors and construction materials (typically tuff stone).

One of these buildings houses the museum. On the ground floor are the well, the press, and the vats where hides were soaked. The tanning, dyeing, and washing phases are on the first floor, while the top floor features the finishing phase, where materials like sole leather and vacchetta were produced—highly sought after by bookbinders in Cagliari.

It’s a true historical and technical journey, where visitors can admire tools and techniques of ancient leather and hide processing.

Visitors can also walk on a glass surface covering the original vats, where fresh hides were processed into high-quality products appreciated and sold throughout Italy and abroad—making Bosa the capital of the tanning industry in Italy.

Bosa: A Crystal-Clear Sea

What makes Bosa even more magical is undoubtedly its crystal-clear sea. A gem of architecture that meets the pristine Sardinian waters. In particular, Cane Malu stands out—a true natural pool.

Carved by nature into Bosa’s white trachyte rock, it’s a special place, beloved by locals, ideal for walks, swims, and spectacular dives into turquoise waters. Caution is advised: the bottom is slippery, and sea urchins are still present. It’s recommended to wear water shoes when entering.

The natural pool stretches 90 meters long and 20 meters wide, covering an area of 1,600 square meters. Oriented from northwest to southeast, it offers a stunning view and a unique atmosphere, especially at sunset.

Its name, which in Sardinian means “bad dog,” has unclear origins. It’s believed to refer to the narrow, elongated shape of the rocks separating the pool from the open sea—resembling a dog’s tail.

The word “malu,” meaning “bad” or “difficult,” may refer to the dangerous sea conditions or the violent waves that crash against the rocks during strong mistral storms.

Faced with such beauty, Bosa is the perfect destination for a journey into wonder!

Cover photo: Sardegna Turismo