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The Architecture of Sardinia reflects the history of the island and the cultures that have inhabited it since the first known constructions in 4000 B.C. [1] An especially distinctive element of Sardinian architecture is the presence of Nuraghes and other buildings constructed by the Nuragic civilization. [2]
Sardinia preserves many prehistoric and protohistoric constructions including underground tombs called Domus de Janas (Sardinian: House of the Fairies or House of the Witches), stone circles, dolmen, and menhir which first appeared on the island at the time of the Ozieri culture. [1] Monte d'Accoddi, an archeological site thought once to function as an altar, was also built during the time of the Ozieri.
However, the constructions of the Nuragic civilization, particularly the Nuraghes, are most characteristic of early Sardinian architecture. Nuraghes are circular stone towers of several types (corridor, single tower, tancato, polylobed) typically built in the form of a truncated cone. 7000 Nuraghes still dot the island, but archaelogists believe there may have been as many as 10000 at one time. [3] Other Nuragic age constructions which can be found throughout Sardinia are megalithic gallery graves known as giants' graves, megaron temples such as the Domu de Orgia, and holy wells for the worship of water. [1] In addition, it is estimated that there are about 500 nuragic villages, generally fortified, with the most important and significant examples being Su Nuraxi in Barumini, Santu Antine in Torralba, Seruci at Gonnesa and Losa near Abbasanta.
Around 500 BCE, the Punics built the temple of Antas, which was dedicated to the worship of the important Sardinian figure of Sid Addir. However the original temple is no longer visible as Augustus built a Roman temple on top of the original site. The Punics also contributed to the architecture of Sardinia during this period by constructing necropolises, such as the necropolis of Tuvixeddu, and tophet, which may have served as places of child burial or sacrifice, as well as building new cities and fortifications. [4]
During the Roman period, roads were constructed across the island, cities were restructured, and new settlements were built. Many Roman era buildings and infrastructure survive to this day, including aqueducts, baths, a theater, and the amphitheater of Cagliari.
There are also several examples of Early Christian and Byzantine architecture throughout the territory, both on the coasts and inland. [1] Basilicas of San Saturnino, Sant'Antioco, Columbaris, and San Giovanni di Sinis date back to the 5th or 6th century CE. Some architectural works during this time are notable for their underground construction, like the necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu which repurposed a pre-existing complex of domus de janas chambers.
During the Judicates period, thanks to the security of the Mediterranean guaranteed by the fleets of the Italian maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa, and following the flourishing of commercial activities, Romanesque architecture spread in Sardinia. [5] The first Romanesque building on the island is the Basilica of San Gavino in Porto Torres, in the Giudicato of Torres. Construction began during the reign of Judge Gonario I of Torres (around 1015 - 1038). After Gonario's death, he was succeeded by his son Barisone I of Torres, who continued the construction of the basilica.
The rulers of the Judicates, from around 1063 onwards, through substantial donations, facilitated the arrival of monks from various orders from different regions of the Italian Peninsula and France. [6] These circumstances led to the presence of various skilled craftsmen in the island: Pisans, Lombards, Provençals, and even those with Arab influence from the Iberian Peninsula. This fusion of experiences gave rise to unique artistic expressions.
In the mid-12th century, Sardinian Romanesque architecture became increasingly closely linked to that of Pisa, [5] which played a dominant role due to the greater involvement of Pisan families in the internal politics of the Judicates. The Basilica of Saccargia in Codrongianos is perhaps the most famous expression of Pisan Romanesque in Sardinia.
Apart from numerous churches, several examples of military architecture survive from the medieval period. These include castles such as Acquafredda Castle, San Michele Castle, Sanluri Castle, and Serravalle Castle (to name a few). The city walls of Sassari and Iglesias (partially spared from 19th-century demolitions) and towers like San Pancrazio Tower and the Elephant Tower in Cagliari (designed by Giovanni Capula) or the tower of Marianus II in Oristano also remain. [7] [8]
Since the mid-13th century, the presence of the Franciscans led to the introduction of architectural and decorative types related to Italian Gothic in Sardinia. Among the most important buildings of the Italian Gothic style is the Cathedral of Cagliari, which preserves significant parts of the transept. [7] Later, the Aragonese introduced forms of Catalan Gothic architecture, with the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria being the first example. [7]
Renaissance architecture, although sparsely represented, includes notable examples such as the layout of the Cathedral of San Nicola in Sassari (late Gothic but with a strong Renaissance influence), the church of Sant'Agostino in Cagliari (designed by Palearo Fratino), the church of Santa Caterina in Sassari (designed by Bernardoni, a student of Vignola), and the completion of the cathedral of Santa Maria in Alghero, the work of Jacopo Palearo Fratino.
In contrast, Baroque architecture has been widely highlighted: [9] interesting examples include the Collegiate Church of Sant'Anna in Cagliari, the facade of the Cathedral of San Nicola in Sassari (the work of Romero and Corbellini), the church of San Michele in Cagliari (with a central plan and valuable stuccos and frescoes), as well as the cathedrals of Cagliari, Ales, and Oristano, rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively, by Domenico Spotorno and Giovanni Battista Arieti.
In the second half of the 16th century, during the Spanish era, the fortresses of Cagliari, Alghero, and Castellaragonese (Castelsardo) were strengthened and modernized. This period also saw the construction of coastal towers along the entire Sardinian coast, serving an anti-Barbary function. [10] Almost all of these towers have a circular plan. [10]
Starting from the 19th century, thanks to new ideas and experiences imported by some Sardinian architects trained in Turin, new neoclassical architectural forms spread throughout the island. Among the most important figures of this architectural and urban phase is the architect from Cagliari, Gaetano Cima, whose works are scattered throughout the Sardinian territory [11] (among his many achievements are the civil hospital of Cagliari, the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Assumed in Guasila, and the cathedral of Ozieri). Alongside Cima's works, those of Cominotti (Palace and Civic Theater of Sassari) and Cano (Dome of S. Maria di Betlem in Sassari and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows in Nuoro) are also noteworthy.
In the second half of the 19th century in Sassari, the neo-Gothic Giordano Palace (1878) was built, representing one of the first examples of revivalism on the island, while the neo-Romanesque facade of the Cathedral of Cagliari, the work of Giarrizzo, dates back to 1933. [12]
An interesting example of eclectic taste, derived from the combination of inspirations from revivalist and Art Nouveau models, is the Civic Palace of Cagliari, completed in the early years of the 20th century. [13] Art Nouveau and Art Déco found their place especially in the new palaces of the upper-middle-class families, as well as in public buildings.
The advent of fascism had a strong influence on Italian architecture in the twenties and thirties; also in Sardinia, particularly in newly founded cities, [14] several constructions of rationalist and monumental style were realized: notable achievements of that period are the centers of Fertilia, Arborea, and the city of Carbonia, one of the greatest examples of rationalist architecture. A prominent figure of the time is Ubaldo Badas, author of numerous buildings in Cagliari and elsewhere. [15]
The tourist development that began in the sixties led to the construction of architecturally significant buildings in Costa Smeralda, such as Cala di Volpe, Romazzino, or Pitrizza, along with the village of Porto Cervo with the Stella Maris church, works, respectively, by Jacques Couelle, Luigi Vietti, and Michele Busiri Vici .
More recent are other decidedly modern buildings like the tower of the T Hotel or the headquarters of the Banca di Credito Sardo, both in Cagliari and the latter work of Renzo Piano. [16]
The tallest buildings constructed on the island are the "Nuovo" skyscraper of Sassari by Fernando Clemente with 80 meters and 19 floors plus 8 meters of antenna (88 meters total), the T Hotel in Cagliari with 62 meters (73 meters including the flagpole) and 16 floors, the west tower of the so-called Palazzaccio of Olbia with 50 meters and 16 floors and the dome of the Basilica of Bonaria in Cagliari with 50 meters. The tallest structure ever built is the approximately 250-meter chimney of the Sulcis Power Plant (belonging to Enel Produzione), located within the Portovesme Industrial Pole. [17]
Moreover, there are various traditional types of housing, such as the tall houses in the hilly and mountainous areas, built with stone and wood, and the courtyard houses in ladiri (raw earth bricks) of the Campidano, as well as different types of settlements, like the stazzi in Gallura, the furriadroxius and the medaus in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region. [18]
Nuoro is a city and comune (municipality) in central-eastern Sardinia, Italy, situated on the slopes of Mount Ortobene. It is the capital of the province of Nuoro. With a population of 36,347 (2011), it is the sixth-largest city in Sardinia. Its frazione (borough) of Lollove is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia.
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and one of the twenty regions of Italy. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia and 16.45 km south of the French island of Corsica.
The nuraghe, or nurhag, is the main type of ancient megalithic edifice found in Sardinia, Italy, developed during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 BC. Today it has come to be the symbol of Sardinia and its distinctive culture known as the Nuragic civilization. More than 7,000 nuraghes have been found, though archeologists believe that originally there were more than 10,000.
Olbia is a city and commune of 60,346 inhabitants in the Italian insular province of Sassari in northeastern Sardinia, Italy, in the historical region of Gallura. Called Olbia in the Roman age, Civita in the Middle Ages and the Terranova Pausania until the 1940s, Olbia has again been the official name of the city since the fascist period.
Porto Torres is a comune (municipality) and a city of the Province of Sassari in north-west of Sardinia, Italy. Founded during the 1st century BC as Colonia Iulia Turris Libisonis, it was the first Roman colony of the entire island. It is situated on the coast at about 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of Falcone Cape and in the center of the Gulf of Asinara. The port of Porto Torres is the second biggest seaport of the island, followed by the port of Olbia. The town is very close to the main city of Sassari, where the local university takes office.
Archaeological evidence of prehistoric human settlement on the island of Sardinia is present in the form of nuraghes and other prehistoric monuments, which dot the land. The recorded history of Sardinia begins with its contacts with the various people who sought to dominate western Mediterranean trade in classical antiquity: Phoenicians, Punics and Romans. Initially under the political and economic alliance with the Phoenician cities, it was partly conquered by Carthage in the late 6th century BC and then entirely by Rome after the First Punic War. The island was included for centuries in the Roman province of Sardinia and Corsica, which would be incorporated into the diocese of Italia suburbicaria in 3rd and 7th centuries.
Santa Giusta Cathedral, now a minor basilica is the former cathedral of the abolished Diocese of Santa Giusta, in Santa Giusta, province of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy. The dedication is to Saint Justa of Cagliari who, according to the tradition, was martyred here at the time of the Roman emperor Diocletian, with her companions Saints Justina and Aenidina. Almost entirely built in sandstone, it is considered one of the most important examples of Sardinian Romanesque architecture.
Alghero Cathedral, otherwise the Cathedral of St. Mary the Immaculate, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Alghero in the province of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy. It is located in the historic center of the city. It was the seat of the Bishop of Alghero from 1503 to 1986, and since 1986 has been that of the Bishop of Alghero-Bosa.
The Nuragic civilization, also known as the Nuragic culture, formed in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Italy in the Bronze Age. According to the traditional theory put forward by Giovanni Lilliu in 1966, it developed after multiple migrations from the West of people related to the Beaker culture who conquered and disrupted the local Copper Age cultures; other scholars instead hypothesize an autochthonous origin. It lasted from the 18th century BC, up to the Iron Age or till the Roman colonization in 238 BC. Others date the culture as lasting at least until the 2nd century AD, and in some areas, namely the Barbagia, to the 6th century AD, or possibly even to the 11th century AD. Although it must be remarked that the construction of new nuraghi had already stopped by the 12th-11th century BC, during the Final Bronze Age.
The Basilica di San Gavino is a proto-Romanesque church in Porto Torres, Sardinia, Italy. A former cathedral, it is now a place for the veneration of local martyrs and a parish church.
Dolianova Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Pantaleon, is a Roman Catholic cathedral church in the historical center of Dolianova, Sardinia, Italy. It is one of the main Romanesque buildings in the island. Formerly the episcopal seat of the diocese of Dolia, it is now a co-cathedral in the Archdiocese of Cagliari.
Cagliari Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to Saint Cecilia. It is the seat of the archbishop of Cagliari.
The Basilica of San Saturnino is a Palaeo-Christian church in Cagliari, southern Sardinia, Italy.
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. Tourism in Sardinia is one of the fastest growing sectors of the regional economy. The island attracts more than a million tourists from both Italy, from the rest of Europe, and, to a lesser degree, from the rest of the world. According to statistics, tourist arrivals in 2016 were 2.9 million people.
The Giants of Mont'e Prama are ancient stone sculptures created by the Nuragic civilization of Sardinia, Italy. Fragmented into numerous pieces, they were discovered in March 1974 on farmland near Mont'e Prama, in the comune of Cabras, province of Oristano, in central-western Sardinia. The statues are carved in local sandstone and their height varies between 2 and 2.5 meters.
Giovanni Lilliu, was an archeologist, academician, publicist, politician and an expert of the Nuragic civilization. Largely due to his scientific and archeologic work in the Su Nuraxi di Barumini in Sardinia, Italy, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.
Sassari Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy, and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Sassari. It was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century. The present building also includes Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical elements. Construction was finished in the 18th century.
The Sardinian Romanesque is the Romanesque architectural style that developed in Sardinia. The Romanesque architecture in Sardinia has had a remarkable development since the early origins, during the Giudicati era, and for a long period. His expressions, although autonomous, are not classifiable in a recognizable image, since in the island the Romanesque manifested itself with unusual results but in numerous forms; this is due to the establishment in Sardinia of several religious orders, coming from various Italian regions and from France. Consequently, in the architectures of that era Pisan, Lombard and Provençal influences are recognizable as well as traces of the passage of workers, coming from the Iberian Peninsula, of Islamic culture. In total there are over 150 Romanesque monuments in Sardinia.
The Kingdom of Sardinia was a feudal state in Southern Europe created in the early 14th century and a possession of the Crown of Aragon first and then of the Spanish Empire until 1708, then of the Habsburgs until 1717, and then of the Spanish Empire again until 1720.