Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Basilica di Saccargia

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France.As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. The small eye catching Romanesque church San Michele is easy to find, located on an isolated hill just outside Murato. It was erected from mid-12th century on and was consecrated in 1280. At that time Corsica was ruled by Pisa and so it was built in a bicolor typical Pisan style recognizable by the alternation of green (serpentine) and white (limestone) stones, very similar to the "Basilica di Saccargia" on the neighbouring island of Sardinia. The bell tower of the single nave church, supported by heavy columns, was raised by some metres during restoration works in the 19th century, so it seems a little "too high" now. Geneviève Moracchini-Mazel, uthor of "Corse Romane", calls the restoration "unfortunate". The church presents remarkable naive motifs on the walls that are amazing in their imagination and variety.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France.As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. The small eye catching Romanesque church San Michele is easy to find, located on an isolated hill just outside Murato. It was erected from mid-12th century on and was consecrated in 1280. At that time Corsica was ruled by Pisa and so it was built in a bicolor typical Pisan style recognizable by the alternation of green (serpentine) and white (limestone) stones, very similar to the "Basilica di Saccargia" on the neighbouring island of Sardinia. The bell tower of the single nave church, supported by heavy columns, was raised by some metres during restoration works in the 19th century, so it seems a little "too high" now. Geneviève Moracchini-Mazel, uthor of "Corse Romane", calls the restoration "unfortunate". The church presents remarkable naive motifs on the walls that are amazing in their imagination and variety.

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.

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 "Last Supper", to the right the "Seizing of Christ". Matthew 26:47-51 "While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus´ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear."

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.

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.

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". The porch is some decades younger (1180/1200). An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. Here are the cows. The church was abandoned in the 16th century, the monastery fell in ruins, so this was a perfect place to carve in a graffito. Nobody chose the surface of the black volcanic basalt, the vandals carved names and dates into the white limestones of the porch.

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". The porch is some decades younger (1180/1200). It has some great capitals, that may have been carved by masters from Pisa or Lucca. Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. Here are the cows. 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 "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". The porch is some decades younger (1180/1200). It has some great capitals, that may have been carved by masters from Pisa or Lucca. Here are strange winged creatures with giant ears and dangerous teeth. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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". The porch is some decades younger (1180/1200). It has some great capitals, that may have been carved by masters from Pisa or Lucca. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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". The bell tower (41 m) and the porch are some decades younger (1180/1200). An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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". The bell tower (41 m) is some decades younger. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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". The bell tower (41 m) is some decades younger. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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. The bell tower (41 m) is some decades younger. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia" - "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. 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 "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. An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). Legends tell, that the name "Saccargia" is connected to "sa acca argia", what means "speckled cow", as a cow was found here praying on its knees. The church was abandoned in the 16th century. It was restored and reopened in the 20th century.

Only the belltower of the "Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia" can be seen from this point of view. This basilica is probably the most important and renowned Romanesque church in the island of Sardinia. I had seen photographs of this church, that let me to visit Sardinia in June 2014. I returned home after about 2 weeks and had the impression, that I had only seen a small part of the island. So I came back 4 months later to have a second look on some places and continue the trip.