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[[File:Basilica di San Saturnino-Cagliari2.JPG|thumb|250px|Basilica of San Saturnino.]]
The '''Basilica of San Saturnino''' is a Palaeo-Christian church in [[Cagliari]], southern [[Sardinia]], Italy.
==History==
The church is mentioned for the first time in the early 6th century. This church had been likely erected near the burial place of St. [[Saturninus of Cagliari]], who, according to the ''Passio sancti Saturni'' (a medieval document telling the saint's story),  had been martyred in 304.
In 1089  the [[giudicato of Cagliari|''giudice'' of Cagliari]], [[Constantine II of Cagliari]], donated the complex, including also a monastery, to the [[Benedictine]]s of the [[Abbey of St. Victor, Marseille|Abbey of St. Victor]] of [[Marseille]]. In the occasion the church was restored in [[Romanesque architecture|Provençal-Romanesque style]]. The renewed basilica was consecrated in 1119.
[[File:Ssaturnino2.jpg|left|thumb|Remains of the western arm.]]
In 1324, during the siege of the quarter of Castello (held by the Pisans) by the [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragonese]], the monastery was damaged. In 1363 King [[Peter IV of Aragon]] gave the site to the [[Knights of Sant Jordi d'Alfama]]. In the following centuries the complex decayed. In 1614 the area was excavated in search of the relics of Cagliari's early martyrs, later brought in the [[Cagliari Cathedral|city's Cathedral]]. In 1669 some material from San Saturnino were re-used for the Baroque renovation of the latter  church.
In 1714 the church was re-dedicated to Sts. [[Cosmas and Damian]]. In 1943 the church was damaged by Allied [[Bombing of Cagliari in World War II|bombings]]. After [[World War II]] it was restored. In 1978-1996 the church remained closed for restorations. It was reconsecrated in 2004.
==Description==
The church is located within a walled area including a Palaeo-Christian necropolis, which is still being excavated. Today only part of the original basilica, which was on the [[Greek cross]] plan with a [[transept]] and a semi-spherical dome; all the four arms had a nave and two aisles. The current church consists of the dome-covered area (dating to the 5th-6th centuries) and the eastern arm, with a nave and two aisles, which ends with  a semicircular [[apse]].
The western façade, partly ruined, is divided into three sectors. The side ones have portals with [[architrave]]s, surmounted by round [[lunette]]s. The current church's entrance is in the area of the former western arm, and features modern additions from the 20th century restoration.
The eastern arm is externally decorated with [[Lombard band]]s, while the apse has lost the original cover with [[limestone]] from Bonaria. The arm has a nave and two aisles, the former with [[barrel vault]], the latter with [[cross vault]]s.
{{Commons category|San Saturnino (Cagliari)}}
==Sources==
*{{cite book|first=Roberto |last=Coroneo|title= Architettura Romanica dalla metà del Mille al primo '300|location= Nuoro|publisher= Ilisso|year=1993|isbn=88-85098-24-X}}
== External links ==
* {{Cite web|title=Basilica of San Saturnino|url=http://virtualarchaeology.sardegnacultura.it/index.php/en/archaeological-sites/periodo-romano/basilica-di-san-saturnino|access-date=2021-08-28|website=Sardegna Virtual Archaeology}}
* {{Cite web|date=2015-11-20|title=Basilica di San Saturnino|url=https://www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/explore/basilica-di-san-saturnino|access-date=2021-08-28|website=SardegnaTurismo|language=en-gb}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|39.213889|N|9.123333|E|type:landmark|display=title}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1119]]
[[Category:12th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy]]
[[Category:Basilica churches in Sardinia]]
[[Category:Benedictine monasteries in Italy]]
[[Category:Palaeo-Christian architecture in Italy]]
[[Category:Churches in Cagliari]]
[[Category:Minor basilicas in Sardinia]]