Sardenia: Sassari

From Castelsardo, we went back to Sassari, the second largest city in Sardinia, an inland city, a university town, not so many tourists. On the Holy Tuesday and Wednesday there was a procession each evening - they were rather similar. We noticed those processions in Sardinia very much involve children, definitely a way to pass on the tradition. On Wednesday there were concerts at two different churches. I think it was the same for Tuesday.

We took the bus to Porto Torres on the coast, a rather sleepy place, though it was a Roman colony and still has remnants of a big bath and a bridge (we couldn't really see). In both Corsica and Sardinia, I found the changing fortunes of the different towns rather interesting. The top attraction of Porto Torres is Basilica di San Gavino, the largest and rather unique 11th century Romanesque church. For example:

Massive Scale: The structure is roughly 58 meters long and 19 meters wide, dominating the hilltop of Monte Agellu.

Recycled Roman Materials: The interior features 22 marble and granite columns taken from ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings.





Dual Apses: It is the only church in Italy with two apses facing each other, meaning there is no main front entrance.





Entrances: Access is through side portals, including a 15th-century Catalan Gothic main door on the south side (below).

Porto Torres is on the sea and boasts a fine Aragonese Tower (2nd below), an eye-catching 1960's modern lighthouse (3rd), and Roman Baths (4th).








Procession of the Sorrowful Madonna














Holy Tuesday Procession of the Mysteries in which 16th-Century wooden statues are carried through the streets and into the churches.
























Sun-Ling and Shadow.


Concerts