Basilica di Saccargia on sardinia front view by Eric van Nieuwland

Basilica di Saccargia on sardinia front view
The facade is decorated with two rows of arches with small rose windows on each level. There is a cruciform opening in the middle arch. The facade is preceded by a portico with a pointed roof supported by seven round arches resting on white columns. The capitals of these columns are decorated with Romanesque plant and animal motifs. These capitals are copies; the originals are in the basilica. The sculpted cows on the corner columns refer (incorrectly) to a local legend that claims the name Saccargia comes from "sa acca argia", the spotted cow.

The nave consists of a long, narrow nave that ends in three apses in the transept. The two side chapels are bordered with a cross vault.

At the end of the twelfth century the central apse was covered with three rows of frescoes in Romanesque style by an unknown artist from the area of Pisa. These frescoes are still in excellent condition and can be considered as the only example in Sardinia of Romanesque frescoes The central fresco on the ceiling of the apse represents the blessing of Christ, depicted with a book, surrounded by angels and archangels. The central part depicts the apostles and the praying Virgin. Beneath this there are images of the Passion of Christ.

Retable of the Master of Castelsardo
In the right recess is a copy of a reredos by the Master of Castelsardo. This Sardinian artist from the 15th century showed in his retables a masterly synthesis