The History
Sassari is nestled in the Northwestern corner on the Italian island of Sardinia and is one of the island’s most ancient towns and second largest city. As is the case with the rest of Italy, Sassari has endured occupation by many races over the course of their history, all of which have influenced everything from the local architecture to gastronomy. Historical text states Sassari was most likely founded in the early Middle Ages by the inhabitants of the ancient Roman port of Turris Lybisonis, with the oldest mention of a village called Tathari appearing in an 1113 document in the archive of the Monastery of St. Peter.
Sassari has produced two Italian Presidents and is home to one of the oldest universities in Italy – the University of Sassari founded in 1562 – as well as the Museo Sanna that holds a vast collection of Sardinian art.
The picturesque city center draws on Roman and Spanish influences and is dotted with ancient churches. The Duomo - the Catherdral of St. Nicola - dominates the city center and dates to the XII Century. The vast central piazza has a beautiful fountain that is the symbol of the town.
At various times throughout the year Sassari comes alive with local festivals. The primary festival, however, is La Festa dei Candelieri, or Festival of the Candlesticks, that takes place on August 14th. While the original origin is disputed it has been well documented that from the late sixteenth century on the candlesticks are symbols of devotion and gratitude to the Madonna for helping the island survive the Plague which ravaged the island in 1582.
Each year the City is adorned with 3 meter long wooden candlesticks decorated with colorful silk ribbons, flowers and veils. Men dressed in traditional Sardinian costumes dance through the streets while supporting giant candlesticks while spectators chant and cheer.