Eng
The Basilica of Saccargia, also known as the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, is the most famous and fascinating medieval church in Sardegna. It is an imposing building in the Pisan Romanesque style. Its distinctive two-tone colour scheme, black and white, is the result of the use of limestone and basalt. Inside, visitors can admire some very important frescoes: the Christ in the mandorla with seraphim, angels and archangels; the Praying Madonna with saints; and scenes from the life of Christ, which are reminiscent of the contemporary paintings in San Pietro di Galtellì.The frescoes in the central apse, probably the work of a master from the mainland, are the only example of Romanesque painting in the whole of Sardegna.
The church is very easy to reach and is situated on the SS 131, which links Sassari to Olbia. We recommend a visit any day of the year, but we would particularly highlight the day on which the Trinity of Saccargia is celebrated, when the religious service is accompanied by folk festivals and poetry competitions.
The texts recount that Constantine I of Torres and his wife Marcusa were longing for an heir. They therefore went on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of San Gavino in Torres, where they were guests of the monks. It was there that they had a vision which led them to build the church. Furthermore, the Basilica of Saccargia stands on the ruins of an ancient monastery. Legend has it that, at that very spot, a cow would come to kneel, having travelled from a distant pasture. The cow would come to offer its milk to the monks of the monastery. And that is why, on one of the capitals of the portico, you can see the carved image of a cow.
The name Saccargia may well derive from this very legend:
Photo by Nicolas Vollmer on Visual Hunt / CC BY
Explore the culture and nature of Northern Sardinia: places to discover, local dishes, traditions and stories from the region.
‘Domus de Janas’ is a Sardinian expression meaning ‘house of the fairies’. Legends tell of beings that are not particularly spiritual – demons, somewhere between human and divine.
Sardegna has a wine-making tradition stretching back thousands of years; the earliest evidence of wine-making dates as far back as 1400 BC.
There is a story linked to the island of Tavolara which tells that King Carlo Alberto of Savoy appointed his only son as king of the island.
The Ludurru necropolis is situated in Buddusò, and the domus de janas date back to 3200–2800 BC, famous examples of the Sardegna Neolithic period
The Neptune Caves are spectacular caves dating back to prehistoric times. They are located at Alghero, in Northern Sardinia
The Church of St Francis in Alghero is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture in Sardegna
