page_title: Basilica of San Saturnino
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Basilica of San Saturnino / History
caption_attribution_description: Basilica di San Saturnino (V secolo) - Cagliari
context_page_description: The Basilica of San Saturnino is a Palaeo-Christian church in Cagliari, southern Sardinia, Italy.
context_section_description: 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 giudice of Cagliari, Constantine II of Cagliari, donated the complex, including also a monastery, to the Benedictines of the Abbey of St. Victor of Marseille. In the occasion the church was restored in Provençal-Romanesque style. The renewed basilica was consecrated in 1119.
  In 1324, during the siege of the quarter of Castello (held by the Pisans) by the 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 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 bombings. After World War II it was restored. In 1978-1996 the church remained closed for restorations. It was reconsecrated in 2004.
caption: Remains of the western arm.
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