Oristano, town and archiepiscopal see, western Sardinia, Italy, near the mouth of the Tirso River, northwest of the city of Cagliari. It was founded in the 11th century bc by the people of Tharros, a Punic city, the ruins of which are nearby. There are also Roman remains. In its early days it was the capital of Arborea, one of the giudicati, each under separate family control, into which Sardinia was divided. There is a monument in the town to Eleanora d’Arborea, who ruled from 1383 to 1404 and was an important figure in Sardinian history. The Tower of St. Christopher dates from 1291, and the cathedral, largely rebuilt in the 18th century, dates from 1288. Oristano is now an agricultural and fish-canning centre (especially eel and mullet). Pop. (2006 est.) mun., 32,936.