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Nostra Signora di Tergu is a parish church inTergu,province of Sassari,Sardinia,Italy. One of the most outstanding examples ofRomanesque architecture in the island, the church and the remains of the annexed abbey are located in a countryside area outside the village.
The construction of the church is attributed to theGiudice of TorresMarianus I, who reigned from 1065 to 1082. In 1122 it was a possession of theabbey of Montecassino. It is mentioned in thePseudocondaghe of Santa Maria di Tergu as having been consecrated in 1117, and built by workers fromPisa andLombardy. In 1444 the church and the monastery became part of thearchdiocese of Torres.
The church was built using slabs of redtrachyte and of brighter limestone for the decorations. The façade, which is missing the upper part (crumbled down during the centuries) is divided into two levels. The lower one has two cornerpilasters and two semicolumns supporting two arches with finely decoratedarchivolts in limestone. The central portal has an architrave with capitals, also in limestone, sculpted withacanthus motifs.
The vegetable motifs are also present in the white frames of the upper level, showing a blindloggia with five arcades, in which are contained unusual geometrical decorations. Also particular are the side columns, having azigzag pattern. The central arcade houses a smallrose window.
The exterior sides are characterized by false columns withLombard bands. On the northern side is the square, sturdy bell tower.
The interior is on theLatin cross plan, with a nave and atransept. Theapse, with a quadrangular plan, was rebuilt in 1664. To the same age dated thebarrel vault of nave, which has been replaced by the current woodentrusses.
40°52′16″N8°43′13″E / 40.87111°N 8.72028°E /40.87111; 8.72028
