Macomer
Macomer is a town and comune in the province of Nuoro in the autonomous region of Sardinia in Italy. It is situated on the southern ascent to the central plateau of this part of Sardinia, at the junction of narrow-gauge lines branching from the main railroad line running east to Nuoro and west to Bosa. With a population of 9,073, it is the 31th-largest municipality in Sardinia.
The district, especially the Campeda, is well suited for grazing and horse and cattle breeding, which is carried on to a considerable extent.
History
Macomer, known to the Greek geographer Ptolemy as "Macopsissa," has been inhabited since antiquity.In 1478 was the scene of the historical battle between the Sardinians and the Aragonese, which ended the independence of Sardinia.
In 1767, under the Kingdom of Sardinia, it became the capital of the Marquisate of Marghine. The Marquisate included the nearby villages of Birori, Bolotana, Borore, Bortigali, Dualchi, Lei, Mulargia, Noragugume and Silanus.
In 1949, a statue called The Venus of Macomer was discovered in a cave located in "Marras" area, in a gorge of the river S'Adde.
The artifact depicts a Goddess Mother dating back to the Palaeolithic period. It is about high and was built with local basalt. It is currently kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari.
Nowadays, Macomer is a destination for tourists who want to admire the beautiful landscape around the city.
Demographics
As of 2025, Macomer has a population of 9,073, of which 49.1% are male and 50.9% are female, compared to the nationwide average of 49.0% and 51.0% respectively. Minors make up 10.8% of the population, and seniors make up 30.2%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 386, making up 4.2% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are Moroccans, Romanians, Germans, Swiss and French.
Main sights
The region is richer in the bronze-age towers known as nuraghi than any other part of Sardinia.The old parish church of San Pantaleone has three Roman mile-stones in front of it, belonging to the Roman high-road from Carales to Turris Libisonis. A modern road now follows the ancient one.
Recently an ethnographic museum called "Le Arti Antiche" has been opened, where it is possible to see tools traditionally used for agriculture and livestock, folk costumes, and photographs. The Monte di Sant'Antonio has a great historical and naturalistic importance; on 13 June of every year the anniversary of the Saint of Padua is celebrated there.