Architecture of Sardinia

Architecture of Sardinia has developed since 4000 B.C., presenting characteristic aspects in certain historical periods, especially in the Nuragic age.

From Prehistory to the Byzantine Era
In Sardinia, there are numerous examples of prehistoric and protohistoric constructions such as the Domus de Janas (hypogeic tombs), megalithic circles, menhirs, dolmens, Monte d'Accoddi, giant's tombs, "megaron" temples, and holy well temples. However, the element that most characterizes the Sardinian prehistoric landscape is the Nuraghe, which are numerous (about 7000 still stand) and come in various types (corridor, single tower, tancato, polylobed). 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.

There are also numerous traces left by the Phoenicians who founded the first cities along the coasts, including Caralis, Nora, Sulci, Tharros. Around 500 B.C., the Punics built the temple of Antas (which was heavily modified in Roman times by Augustus and Caracalla) dedicated to the worship of Sid Addir (later known as Sardus Pater). Near the settlements, necropolises appeared, with the necropolis of Tuvixeddu being the most striking example, and areas called tophet, dedicated to the burial of childrens. The Carthaginian presence was also strengthened by the creation of new cities, among which Neapolis (Guspini) and Cornus (Cuglieri) stand out, and fortifications.

The Romans organized the entire island with an articulated road network, the restructuring of pre-existing cities, and the creation of new settlements, as well as numerous infrastructures of which many ruins survive, such as the aqueducts, the Palace of King Barbaro in Porto Torres, the baths of Fordongianus, the theater of Nora, and the amphitheater of Cagliari. There are also several testimonies of Early Christian and Byzantine architecture throughout the territory, both on the coasts and inland, such as the basilicas of San Saturnino in Cagliari, Sant'Antioco on the homonymous island, Columbaris at Cornus and San Giovanni di Sinis near Cabras, dating back to the 5-6th century; equally interesting are some hypogea, like that of San Salvatore di Sinis in Cabras, the rock church of Sant'Andrea Priu in Bonorva, and some Byzantine-origin churches like Our Lady of Mesumundu near Siligo.

Judicates period
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. 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. 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 Pisa, 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) also remain.

Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
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. Later, the Aragonese introduced forms of Catalan Gothic architecture, with the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria being the first example.

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: 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.

19th century
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 (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.

From the 20th century onwards
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. 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, 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.

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. 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.

Traditional residential architectures
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.