Nothing is known about the structure of the 13th-century building dedicated to Santa Maria ‘de Sinnas.’ The building, dating back to the first half of the 17th century, features very simple and austere volumes with a three-aisle floor plan; the last bay, reserved for the presbytery, was added in the second decade of the 20th century. The façade is horizontally divided into two sections: the lower section is divided into three panels by four simple pilasters, rising from a high molded base. The central panel features the large entrance portal, adapted in the late 19th century to allow the entry of the carriage that, during the festival, transports the statue from the parish. The side panels are characterized by two small entrances. The upper section features a single-light bell gable with a classical style and four brackets, separated by two curved lines, supporting four cup-shaped vases. At the center stands the Marian emblem, carved in stone. The church is surrounded by a fence; inside, there is also a caretaker’s house and a loggia for those participating in the religious and civil festivities.
Description: The statue of the Madonna and Child, carved and polychromed wood, is the work of a Sardinian sculptor with Iberian influences and is attributed to the first half of the 17th century; her robe is red, and during the festival, she wears gifts/ex-votos offered by the faithful. The height is approximately 146 cm; the width at the base is 42 cm. It is kept in the first chapel on the right of the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, dedicated to San Priamo but popularly known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Itria; once a year, during the festival days, the statue is taken to the rural church dedicated to her. It is likely that the church, previously dedicated to Santa Maria de Sinnas and documented in 1206, housed a statue or painting of the Madonna.
Original Location of the Sanctuary: During the festival days, the statue is adorned with votive offerings. Collection Notes: The ex-votos consist only of decorations and precious items donated by the faithful who received graces (crowns, vestments, rings, earrings, necklaces); they belong to various periods, starting from the 17th century. Types of Ex-Votos: Jewelry, Various Objects Current Preservation: During the year, they are kept in the parish.
The church was previously dedicated to Santa Maria de Sinnas (of the boundary), first documented in a 1206 record from the chancery of the Judicate of Arborea. It is said that the statue of Our Lady of Itria was commissioned by the faithful of the nearby village of Pauli Arbarei; during transport, the oxen pulling the cart stopped in front of the church of Santa Maria ‘de Sinnas,’ and nothing, not even the harshest whipping, could make them move. This episode was interpreted as a divine sign, and the statue was placed in the church of Santa Maria ‘de Sinnas,’ which from then on changed its dedication to Our Lady of Itria. This event caused discontent in the nearby village of Pauli Arbarei, which claimed ownership of the statue and the cult [A. Sanna, Villamar, San Gavino Monreale 1994]. The Religious Brotherhood of Our Lady of Itria, documented since 1738, is the custodian of the ancient rite of the festival; a trio of Priors, responsible for organizing the civil and religious celebrations, manages the monetary bequests, donations of valuables, and income from the lands of the Opera.
Via Arbus, 09044 Quartucciu CA, Italy
