Saccargia: The Banded Basilica of 1116
Sardinia, Italy
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Sacraria Pilgrim
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200
XP
+100 Italy
= 300 total
1 day
Saccargia: The Banded Basilica of 1116
200 + 100 XP
The basilica of the Santissima Trinità di Saccargia stands by itself in a valley in the comune of Codrongianos, built at the wish of Costantino I, giudice of Torres, and his wife Marcusa, and consecrated on 5 October 1116. It is Pisan Romanesque, striped in bands of white limestone and black basalt under a very tall bell tower, with a portico across the front. In the apse is a fresco cycle from the second half of the 12th century, the work of a Pisan hand influenced by Umbrian and Roman manner.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Walk the length of the north flank and follow the banding: courses of white limestone alternating with black basalt, the Pisan Romanesque manner carried out in the two stones the island had to hand
2
of 4
Go into the apse and find the three subjects of the 12th-century cycle — Christ in a mandorla, the praying Madonna, and the Crucifixion
3
of 4
Work along the portico and find the carved capitals on the white columns and the two-tone corner pilasters, which carry winged and monstrous figures rather than anything from scripture
4
of 4
Settle the name for yourself: the story told locally derives Saccargia from the Logudorese s’(b)aca argia, the dappled cow, while the written derivation is from the medieval Latin Sacraria. Find which one the site’s own information gives
Walk the length of the north flank and follow the banding: courses of white limestone alternating with black basalt, the Pisan Romanesque manner carried out in the two stones the island had to hand
Go into the apse and find the three subjects of the 12th-century cycle — Christ in a mandorla, the praying Madonna, and the Crucifixion
Work along the portico and find the carved capitals on the white columns and the two-tone corner pilasters, which carry winged and monstrous figures rather than anything from scripture
Settle the name for yourself: the story told locally derives Saccargia from the Logudorese s’(b)aca argia, the dappled cow, while the written derivation is from the medieval Latin Sacraria. Find which one the site’s own information gives
Before you go
The basilica stands on its own in the valley rather than in Codrongianos, so there is nothing else at the site. The apse frescoes are inside, so the fresco part of this needs the church to be open; the banding, the bell tower and the portico carvings can be seen from outside at any time.
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
200 XP
Italy country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
300 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Italy.
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