Codrongianos and the Sassarese Region
The Historical Region of Sassarese (Logudoro Turritano)
The Sassarese (Su Tataresu) is an agropastoral area in northern Sardinia characterized by
volcanic hills, wide plains, and significant medieval and pre-historic monuments. The local
language, Sassarese (Turritano), is a Romance tongue derived from a Tuscan-Corsican base with
Ligurian, Iberian, and Logudoro-Sardinian influences.
Overview of Codrongianos
Codrongianos (Codronzanos in Sardinian) is a hill town in the Province of Sassari situated on the
slopes of the Logudoro hills. Its economy combines agriculture, livestock, and light industry.
Origins & History:
The name derives from Castrum Gordianus, referencing a Roman military
camp established after 225 AD by Emperor Gordian III along the military road connecting Turris
(Porto Torres) to Kalaris (Cagliari). In the Middle Ages, Codrongianos belonged to the Giudicato of
Logudoro under the administration of the Camaldolese Abbey of the Holy Trinity.
Key Sites & Cultural Highlights:
• Basilica of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia (Santissima Trinità di Saccargia): The premier
Pisan-Romanesque monument in Sardinia, consecrated in 1116 by Judge Constantine I of
Logudoro for the Camaldolese monks. The church features a striking bichrome facade of
dark basalt and white limestone, a 40-meter bell tower, and an apse decorated with 13th
century frescoes depicting the Christ in Mandorla and scenes from the Passion.
• Parish Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul: Built in the 12th century in Romanesque
style and heavily reconstructed in the 18th century. It houses an altarpiece painting of The
Conversion of Saul by Florentine master Baccio Gorini.
• Birthplace of Venerable Elisabetta Sanna: The modest two-room home of Elisabetta
Sanna (1788–1857), a physically disabled mother and Tertiary Franciscan whose
beatification cause was initiated by Pope Leo XIII.
• Ce.Do.C. (Museum and Documentation Center): Located in a 20th-century Rationalist
style building, housing multimedia archives and late-15th-century polyptych altarpieces
originally from Saccargia.
• Nuraghe Nieddu: A well-preserved single-tower basalt nuraghe standing on the heights
overlooking the Saccargia valley.