Chiesa Romanica di Santa Maria di Monserrato

The beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria di Monserrato is located in the far south of Sardinia, in Tratalias. It lies in the abandoned part of this village due to water problems; today it serves only tourist purposes and is also the only surviving medieval building of ancient Tratalias. The church, built in 1200, was once the seat of the bishop, who took refuge there from Saracen raids on the island of Sant'Antioco.

The Romanesque style is made less austere by the chromatic flickers of the lava limestone slabs on the exterior walls. Above the fine rose window on the facade, curiously enough, some steps start out that seem to stop in mid-air, but are used to reach the roof.