Santissima Trinità di Saccargia
The abbey church of Santissima Trinità di Saccargia of the former, now completely destroyed Camaldolese monastery is located in a valley between the towns of Ploaghe and Codrongianos in Logudoro (place of gold) in the province of Sassari in Sardinia . Along with San Pietro di Sorres, it is the most important example of Romanesque- Pisan architecture of the 12th century.
history
According to legend, a cow knelt here in prayer. This is probably where the name of the place comes from: sa acca argia , the spotted cow. The church was built around 1120 by order of the judge of Torres based on the Tuscan-Lombard model. According to another version, the local ruler Constantine gave the church to the Camaldolese monks around 1112, who enlarged it with the help of Tuscan architects and craftsmen.
architecture
The old floor plan was similar to that of the Abbey Church of San Michele di Salvenero in Ploaghe, which was built nearby by the Vallombrosans , another Benedictine order . The floor plan, in the form of a dew-cross with the three apses, was very popular with the monks, but followed a Byzantine tradition that was already outdated at the time .
Scaffolding holes on the south wall indicate a considerable expansion of the nave in a second construction phase. The facade , portico and tower as well as the St. Mary's Chapel , which was added in the 13th century, are additions to the original structure. The bell tower is about 41 meters high and 8 × 8 meters wide.
The central nave is only illuminated through small openings in the side walls. The facade above the vestibule is adorned by two rows of arches. In the top row, the central arch has a cruciform opening.
Furnishing
In addition to plant motifs, the open vestibule shows animal figures and human heads on the capitals and front arches. The stone carvings are also Romanesque. The cow capital, which points to the name of the place, is famous.
The facade is dated between 1180 and 1200. It is clad with strips of white limestone and black trachyte .
The Byzantine-influenced frescoes in the central apse from the 13th century are unique in Sardinia . They are probably made by a Pisan artist and are among the few remaining works of Romanesque fresco painting in Italy.
A blessing Christ is enthroned above the center of the fresco, holding a book in his left hand.
See also
- List of Romanesque churches in the Pisan or Provencal style in Sardinia
- List of Byzantine churches in Sardinia
Web links
Coordinates: 40 ° 40 ′ 16.5 " N , 8 ° 41 ′ 20.8" E