In the historic centre of Oristano along the ancient Via Parpaglia, you will come across the so-called “Casa di Eleonora" (the house of Eleanor), although this name was improperly given as it was not really the residence of the celebrated judge. The palace is constituted by two floors and extends approximately 21 meters along the street. Only one part can be traced back to the Judicial period: the ground floor. The inside has a barrel vault and proves the fact that it was not used for living but as a stable. On the other hand, the second floor was added during the Spanish period.
The building, characterized by Renaissance influences, still has the Arborea family emblem: the coat of arms with an uprooted tree.
Short story of Eleonora D'Arborea:
Eleonora D'Arborea was born in Oristano to Mariano IV - judge of Arborea - and Timbora De Roccaberti. The House of Arborea, whose authority extended over one third of Sardinia, became the only defence for the population against domination by foreigners.
In 1383, two tragic episodes mark her existence: the double assassination of her brother Ugone and niece Benedetta followed by the imprisonment of her husband Brancaleone caused by the Aragonians.
Eleonora tried to hold talks with the Aragonians even when, appointed by the “Corona de Logu" (local crown), she governed the region on behalf her juvenile son and was able to obtain peace by bringing order back to her state, which had been devastated by subversive rebellions by local political factions.
The peace treaty signed in 1388 allowed Eleonora to concentrate her energy on reorganizing the Giudicato, thus complying with the expectations of the people for political and economic stability.
A woman of great will, intelligence and a high sense of justice, she owes her fame to the collection of laws called “Carta de Logu" (local constitution), which was later extended throughout all of Sardinia. The Giudicato of Arborea knew one of its periods of greatest splendour during that time.
She died of the plague in 1403 in an unspecified location.
