Sassari 2015 - Piccola Grande Italia

Sassari, Sardinia's second-largest city, rises timidly, far from the sea, almost as if to respect the immense natural beauty of the Sardinian coast. History tells us of frequent Saracen incursions, which explains its inland urbanization. We are in the presence of one of the most continental cities in Sardinia, with few traces of the rural Sardinian spirit, much more pronounced in other locations further south. With a population of approximately 130,000, it is a multifaceted city, rich in history and a vast cultural heritage inherited from the various Sardinian, Genoese, Pisan, Spanish-Piedmontese, and Austrian colonizers who have ruled it over time. The centuries and the city's various rulers have left a significant mark on its urban growth and monuments: Pisan influence remains in the Romanesque architecture of Sassari, while the Baroque style is decidedly Spanish-influenced.