Sanctuary of Bonu Ighinu

Places

Sanctuary of Bonu Ighinu

Mara

The sanctuary, located in an elevated position, could perhaps in ancient times have served as the parish church of a village then abandoned. (photoIvo Piras)

A jewel of Sardinian spirituality.

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Images

Overlapping column orders mark the space of the facade vertically. (photoIvo Piras)

The terminal part of the façade adopts a mixed tympanum surmounted by small spires placed in correspondence with the vertical scans. (photoIvo Piras)

The entrance portal features a delicate slightly raised interlaced ribbon decoration. (photoIvo Piras)

The facade is made up of stacked column orders, richly decorated. (photoIvo Piras)

Decorated column present in the facade (photoIvo Piras)

Description

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonu Ighinu, located in the territory of Mara, is among the most suggestive places of worship in Sardinia.

It is nestled among the mountainous reliefs of Monte Rattari, Monte Traessu, Costa del Cossoine and Monte Lamenta, close to the remains of the castle of Bonvehì, which was already in ruins in the XVI century.

The current structure is from an expansion in 1797 and distinguishes itself by the monumental staircase of access and the scenic facade with columns and a compound curve pediment, reminiscent of the large wooden altarpieces from the XVII-XVIII century.

Surrounding the sanctuary are areas suitable for travellers, among which the cumbessias.

The door features decorations of a braided ribbon, also used in the window above it.

The interior, in contrast with the rich exterior, has a cruciform space with barrel vaulting and a single hall with a transept and chapels.

The sanctuary might have had a parochial role for a village that was later abandoned.