Basilica di Saccargia

The abbey church of the Santissima Trinità di Saccargia of the former, now completely destroyed Camaldolese monastery lies in a valley between the villages of Ploaghe and Codrongianus in Logudoro ( place of gold ) in the province of Sassari in Sardinia. It is next to San Pietro di Sorres the most important example of Romanesque - Pisan architecture of the 12th century.

History

According to legend, knelt down here a cow to prayer. Therefore, most likely also comes the name of the place: sa acca argia, the spotted cow. The church was built about 1120 by order of the judge of Torres to the Tuscan- Lombard model. According to another version, the local ruler Constantine donated to the church in 1112 the Camaldolese monks who enlarged with the help of Tuscan architects and craftsmen.

Architecture

The old layout was similar to the abbey church of San Michele di Salvenero Ploaghe, which was built by the Vallombrosanern, another Benedictine Order, in the vicinity. The plan, in the form of a Taukreuzes with three apses was very popular with the monks, however, followed a by this time obsolete Byzantine tradition.

Scaffolding holes on the south wall indicate a significant extension of the longitudinal vessel in a second phase. Facade, portico and tower as well as the grown in the 13th century St. Mary's Chapel are additions to the original building structure. The tower is about 41 m high.

The nave is lit only by small openings in the side walls. The facade above the porch is decorated by two rows of arches. In the top row of the sheet has a cross-shaped central opening.

Equipment

The open porch is on the capitals and arches forehead next plant motifs and animal figures and human heads. The stone carvers work are also Romanesque. Famous is the Kuhkapitell, which points to the name of the place.

The facade is dated 1180-1200. It is covered with strips of white limestone and black trachyte.

In Sardinia, the unique Byzantine-style frescoes in the central apse from the 13th century, you are likely to come from a Pisan artists and are among the few surviving works of Romanesque fresco painting in Italy.

About the middle of the fresco perched a blessing Christ, holding a book in his left hand.

The bell tower is 41 meters high and 8 x 8 meters wide.