Photos of the Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia Sardinia

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Photos of the Medieval Romanesque Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia, Sardinia. The Holy Trinity of Saccargia. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Romanesque Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia Sardinia.

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Photos of the Pisan Tuscan Romanesque style Basilica of Santissima Trinita di Saccargia, consecrated 1116, Codrongianos, Sardinia.

Basilica di Saccargia Trinita di Saccargia

The Basilica di Saccargia Trinita di Saccargia was built by the Camaldolensian Order of monks during the 12th century following a donation by King Constantine I of Torres.

The basilica of Santissima Trinita di Saccargia is the most important Romanesque Pisan Tuscan style church in Sardinia. The Basilica of Santissima Trinita di Saccargia is the only building that remains of a larger monastery complex on the site.

Basilica di Saccargia Trinita di Saccargia Tuscan Romanesque Design

Built from alternating layers of dark basalt and white limestone, the Basilica of Santissima Trinita di Saccargia is a striking building from the outside with. The architectural style of its campanile and apse are typical of the Pisan Tuscan Romanesque style.

Meaning of its Name Saccargia

The front portico has a cow motif carved into its left capital. ‘Sa Vacca Arza’ in Sardinian translates as ‘Cow with spotted hide’. this may have have derivation into the word ‘Saccargia’ used to describe the church. Others believe that the name of the Basilica comes from the Phoenician ‘sachar’ which means ‘closed place’.

Romanesque Fresco Paintings

The Tuscan style campanile stands at 40 meters high. The church is laid out as a latin cross. Its central nave leads to a Romanesque Aspe that is decorated with Byzantine style frescoes. The depiction of Christ Pantocrator can be seen in the ceiling of central apse. Christ sits in majesty revealed in a mondorla, and upright eye shape that allows us to see him in heaven. In his left hand Christ hold a Bible. His left hand is damaged and missing but would have been making a blessing, the fingers of his hand making a Chi Rho sign.

Below the Christ Pantocrator are the Byzantine style frescoes of the Apostles and Mary. In another register are scenes of Christ’s Passion with a central Calvary crucifixion.