Codrongianos - Basilica di Saccargia

The "Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia" is probably the most important and renowned Romanesque church in the island of Sardinia.

The construction was commissioned by the "giudice" of Torres, a powerful judge. The church was completed and got consecrated in 1116. It was built, over the ruins of a pre-existing monastery, on the floorplan of a "Tau Cross" just like the neighbouring "San Michele di Salvenero".

An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany).

The church was abandoned in the 16th century, the monastery fell in ruins, and only some walls and foundations can be seen. The church was restored and reopened in the 20th century.


The apse is covered with a large fresco, dated 1180-1200. Here is a detail. Seen left is the "Deposition of the Sepulcre", where of the Myrrhbearers only Virgin Mary has a nimbus. To the right the "Descent into Limbo". The devil is under Christ´s feet.