**ALES and TERRALBA, DIOCESE OF**
In Sardinia; suffragane of Oristano, from the second half of the 6th century. The first see was at Ussilis, whose founding date remains uncertain (5th–6th century); after its destruction by an earthquake, the see was transferred to Ales (c. 1182). In 1503 it was united *aequo principaliter* with that of Terralba, the earliest documented mention of which dates to the 10th century.
The diocese has 44 parishes, 2 chaplaincies, 78 priests, and 85,000 inhabitants, all Catholic.
The diocese of Terralba had two abbeys: that of St. Thomas of Tarcidano (now Arcidano) and that of St. Michael of Thamis, both apparently founded toward the end of the 11th century. The latter, belonging to the Vallombrosians, was united to the archdiocese of Oristano in 1803; nothing further is known of the former. At Ganimonneale there survives the Franciscan convent, erected in 1580; the Capuchins were at Tuili (1646–1884); Villacidro hosted the Mercedarians from 1680; and the Carmelites had a presence at Mogoro as early as the 14th century.
As regards Christian art, noteworthy is the parish church of Terralba, in Gothic-Aragonese style, with a portal and rose window of noble architecture. The cathedral of Ales is a national monument; it also possesses a silver altarpiece in Baroque style, a Gothic silver reliquary, and two Renaissance-style caskets.
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