Sassari

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Sassari is the second largest city in Sardinia, located in the northwestern part of the island. The region has been inhabited since ancient times, but the city was only founded around the 11th or 12th century by people fleeing from the coastal areas. Sassari grew rapidly, and became the capital of the Judicate of Torres, and then a free comune. The city was later taken by the Aragonese, and always remained one of the main centers in the area. Sassari then developed as an industrial center and a university city, and features various historic attractions.

✪ Sassari Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Nicola (Cattedrale di San Nicola)

The Sassari Cathedral (Duomo di Sassari) is the main church of Sassari. Originally built in Romanesque style during the 12th century, the church was renovated several times, with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque additions. The church features an elaborate facade with various decorations and a decorated bell tower. The interior is mostly simple, but it houses some artworks and funerary monuments.

Ducal Palace of Sassari

The Ducal Palace of Sassari (Palazzo Ducale di Sassari) is a large palace erected in Sassari between 1775 and 1805. The palace was erected in Baroque style, and features various decorated halls. Now the palace serves as town hall.

National Art Gallery of Sassari

The National Art Gallery of Sassari (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Sassari) is an art museum in the old town of Sassari. The museum houses a rich collection of paintings dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, featuring numerous works by Sardinian artists.

Palazzo di Città

Palazzo di Città is a historic palace in the center of Sassari, originally built in the 13th century. The palace was reworked a few times, and in the 19th century it was transformed into a Neoclassical theater.

Church of Santa Maria di Betlem

The Church of Santa Maria di Betlem is a historic church located just outside the old town of Sassari. The church was built in Romanesque style during the Late Middle Ages, and was later reworked with Baroque additions. The church features a richly decorated interior with various artworks.

Palazzo della Frumentaria

Palazzo della Frumentaria is a historic palace in Sassari, erected between the 16th and 17th century, which now serves as a museum of contemporary art. The site is often used to house temporary exhibitions.

Fountain of the Rosello

The Fountain of the Rosello (Fontana di Rosello) is an ancient fountain in Sassari, often regarded as the symbol of the city. The fountain is located in a valley north of the old town, and was erected in the 13th century and renovated in the 17th century. The fountain features an elaborate structure adorned with various statues.

Museum of the Sassari Brigade

The Museum of the Sassari Brigade (Museo della Brigata Sassari) is a military museum in Sassari. The museum is dedicated to the Sassari Mechanized Brigade, an infantry brigade of the Italian Army, and houses exhibitions mainly focused on World War I.

Piazza d’Italia

Piazza d’Italia is the main square of Sassari, located just outside the old town. Built in the 19th century, the square is surrounded by various buildings from that time, erected in Neoclassical and Gothic Revival style. At the center of the square is a statue of King of Italy Victor Emmanuel II.

Giovanni Antonio Sanna National Museum

The Giovanni Antonio Sanna National Museum (Museo Nazionale Giovanni Antonio Sanna) is a museum of archaeology, art, and ethnography in Sassari. The museum features a large collection of archaeological findings from various sites in Sardinia, with many prehistoric, Carthaginian, and Roman artefacts. The museum also houses various more modern artworks, and exhibitions on local traditions.

Archaeological Site of Monte d’Accoddi

The Archaeological Site of Monte d’Accoddi (Sito Archeologico di Monte d’Accoddi) is an archaeological site located northwest of Sassari. The site features a unique prehistoric structure erected between 4000 BCE and 2400 BCE, which served as a sanctuary and a religious complex. The main structure is surrounded by the ruins of various other buildings.