Although a settlement from very
ancient times, the origin of Sassari as a town is medieval, with its
historic core having being settled in what is now the quarter of
Sant’Apollinare.
Sassari was the first free commune of Sardinia (1294) and it kept
the features of a medieval walled town until the 1800’s. Its history
has always been connected with the destiny of Sardinia and so it was
under the control of Pisa and Genova, then it had an important role
in the events of the four Giudicati (sort of local autonomous
provinces), fell under the long-lasting Spanish-Aragonese dominion
(1297/1323-1708), followed by a short Austrian rule (1708-1717),
before passing under the House of Savoy in 1720. Sardinia was
annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, created in 1861. Italy became a
Repubblic in 1946.
OLD TOWN
The historic heart of the town was
enclosed by the walls stretching from Piazza Sant’Antonio, Corso
Vico, Corso Margherita di Savoia, via Torre Tonda, via Brigata
Sassari, piazza Castello, via Mercato and Corso Trinita'. The walls
were interrupted by four gates, leading to the early "quarters" of
Sassari. From 1278 the town was divided into five "quarters",
corresponding to the parish churches of Sant’Apollinare, San Nicola,
Santa Caterina, San Sisto and San Donato. According to tradition the
quarter of Sant’Apollinare is the site of the first settlement.
THE
WALLS
Though
sober in architecture, the walls have had the privilege to watch
over the history of the town. As already stated, the urban plan of
Sassari dates from the Middle Ages. The walls were first erected
with a defensive purpose by the Pisans in the 13th century, then restored and modified by the Aragonese.
They were about 2 km in lenght, with 35 square towers and a round
one in via Torre Tonda. There were four gates, corresponding to the
four ancient quarters of the town. A characteristic: a small chapel
was erected by each gate during the Aragonese domination, but only
one remain near Porta Rosello (unfortunately it is now the site of a
bar).
Sassari had the aspect of a walled medieval town until the 19th century (the middle of 1800’s) when the urban expansion process
caused the demolition of the walls, except for some surving ruins,
like the remains in Corso Trinita' with still visible coats of arms
and the embattled tower in Piazza Sant’Antonio. Late in the 19th century the old Aragonese castle built in 1330 was demolished to
make room for the new baracks, "Caserma Lamarmora".
Courtesy of AAST Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo di Sassari
