The ecclesiastical architecture
In the main towns and in the greatest centres of Sardinia it is possible to visit ancient churches and
basilicas, prevalent in Romanesque style. The ecclesiastical architecture expresses also in little country Churches and sanctuaries whose artistic value is emphasized by their isolated position and their surroundings.

Civil and military architecture
Among the most significant traces of medieval fortifications we mention the ruins of the Castle of Goceano (1129), the Castle of Serravalle, erected in 3 112 by the Malaspina near Bosa, and the Castle of Acquafredda near Siliqua (13th century). Important, are also the town-walls of Iglesias Sassari, Oristano and above all of Cagliari. In the chief town there are moreover the Castle of San Michele and the Pisan towers of the Elephant (1307) and of San Pancrazio (1305).
The most significant examples of the Catalan -, Aragon's architecture is no doubt the town of Alghero, with many monuments which are very interesting from a civil and military point of view. Among the buildings with a defence and military character we suggest the Castle of Laconi, the Casa-forte in Villasor, the Tower of Ghilarza and the 16th century bastions of Cagliari. Further examples of the civil architecture of this period are the House of Eleonora in Oristano and the Bishop's Palace of Iglesias.

Sassari (1577).
In the 18th century were built various military works especially in Alghero and Cagliari. Among the
examples of the civil building the Palace of the University, the Theatre and the Seminary Tridentino in Cagliari are to be mentioned, as well as the Palace of the Duke of the Asinara in Sassari.

The Palaeo-Christian art

The architectural history in Sardinia goes back to the Palaeo-Christian age. The most important churches are those of San Saturnine in Cagliari (5th century, one of the most interesting early Christian monuments in Italy) and of San Giovanni of Sinis, near Cabras, which goes back to the 6th century.

The Romanesque

From an architectural point of view the Romanesque age is the most significant, various and richest. To the first Romanesque period (11 th century) belong the church of Santa Sabina in Silanus and the middle part of San Pietro in Bosa. To a next Romanesque current date back, on the contrary, the parish church of Sant'Antioco (1102) and the characteristic little churches of Santa Maria of Sibiola, near Serdiana and of San Platano in Villaspeciosa.
Of Tuscan derivation is the third Romanesque current, which the first construction of the church of San Gavino in Porto Torres, very impressive, Basilica Della SS. Trinità di Saccargia (SS) belongs to. The architects of the church of San Leonardo in Santulussurgiu and of the cathedral of Santa Giusta near Oristano follow that model. Of the same current we find different examples in the province of Oristano, with the cathedral of Terralba. The first construction of Santa Maria of Bonarcado (1147). San Paolo in Milis and San Palmerio in Ghilarza (12th century). The most representative building of the local architectonical style is the cathedral of Ottana, made of black and violet trachyte. To a later Romanesque period (12th - 13th century), in which are mixed Tuscan and Lombard influences belong some of the most important medieval monuments of the island and of Italy. We mention among them:

- The basilica of SS. Trinità in Saccargia, in the countryside surrounding Codrongianus;
- The Romanesque - Pisan church of Nostra Signora of Tergu, which rises solitary on a plateau near the village;
- The basilica of Sant'Antioco of Bisarcio, one of the most important monuments in Sardinia, erected on a hill near Ozieri, not so far from the road Sassari - Olbia from where you can see it;
- The imposing basilica of San Pietro of Sorres, one of the most important Italian Romanesque buildings, finished at the end of the 12th century.
The cathedral of San Pantaleo in Dolianova (1261) the church of San Gemiliano in Sestu and that of Santa Maria of Betlehem in Sassari testify the vitality of the late Romanesque in Sardinia. Of Gothic style is the church of San Pietro in Zuri planned by Anselmo of Como, the only church in Sardinia whose architect is known.