San Giacomo, Gothic church in Sassari, Italy
San Giacomo is a Gothic church in Sassari built with a rectangular floor plan and barrel-vaulted ceiling that creates a sense of height and openness. The apse features a quadrangular shape with ribbed cross vaulting, typical of the Gothic style found in this region of Sardinia.
A stone inscription records the founding in 1269 by Pievano D. Pietro Fata, making this one of Sassari's oldest places of worship. The Confraternity of Oration and Death took over management in the 1500s and has maintained the building since then.
The Confraternity of Oration and Death has shaped this place since the 1500s and continues to use it for its religious practices. Visitors can sense their presence through the symbols carved above the entrance gate, which mark the solemn purpose of this gathering space.
The entrance sits on Via Decimario directly across from the cathedral, accessed through a courtyard with decorated gates. Visitors should dress respectfully and move quietly, as this remains an active place of worship and prayer for its members.
Two Baroque altars from the 1780s were crafted by Piedmontese artisans and showcase rare rocaille style decorations in the region. These pieces represent high-quality work from artisans who brought techniques from northern Italy to this Sardinian space.
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