SASSARI

Explore the Vibrant City of Sassari in Sardinia

Perched on a sloping limestone plateau at the edge of a plain descending towards the sea in the North, Sassari stands as the second-largest city in Sardinia by population and economic, political, and cultural significance.

Once the capital of the Giudicato de Torres and later the Republic of Sassari, this city hosts a university, an archbishop’s residence, and a court of appeal. It ranks as the fifth-largest municipality nationwide and is the second most populous city on the island.

Sassari boasts a predominantly tertiary economy that has gradually replaced traditional agricultural activities over recent decades.

Since the 1950s, urbanization from surrounding rural areas has fueled considerable growth in Sassari. New modern clusters have transformed its appearance alongside ancient historical centers and 19th-20th-century neighborhoods.

Sassari has nurtured a rich cultural heritage since the 17th century and has been home to universities that have shaped influential leaders pivotal in regional and national politics.

The city’s origins are shrouded in mystery but likely trace back to Roman times when Sassari’s territory was merely inland from “Turris Libisonis,” present-day Porto Torres.

The current site and initial urban core date back to medieval times. The name “Sassari” first appeared in an ancient record, S. Pietro in Silki’s Condaghe (a monastery now on the city’s outskirts), mentioning “Jordi de Sassaro” in 1131. By 1135, references were made to the church “Sancti Nicolai de Tathari” (“Tatari” still used locally to refer to the city).

A stroll through Sassari’s historic center offers insight into its pre-19th-century spatial dimensions. Starting from Castello Square, visitors can explore numerous key historical and artistic landmarks along ancient streets that still retain some original features.