San Costantino, the cult passed by the Byzantines
At the beginning of the XII century A.D. (probably around 1100 and 1120), San Lussorio church was constructed in Fordongianus by the Vittorini Monks in place of the crypt, in which the Saint martyr had been beheaded in 304 A.D., under Diocleziano empire. In fact, Lussorio, was put on trial in Karalis (Cagliari) and condemned to death for practising Christianity, the faith was then legalized after few years with the Edict of Costantino. The sentence was executed outside the town. Later on, the crypt (in the floor of which it is possible to admire a mosaic) was enlarged and used to bury other defuncts, it became very soon a pilgrimage destination: as a result of this fact also, Fordongianus (at the time Forum Traiani) turned into an episcopal centre in 484. In that year, the bishop Mariniano from Forum Traiani participated to the Concilio of Cartagine. In the XIII century the church of Saint Lussorio had been partially reconstructed because of the landslide on its right flank, while the façade was remade in Gothic-Aragonese style during the XV century.
The cult of Saint Costantino was introduced in Sardinia from the Byzantines, in fact, the emperor of “Occidente” with the Edict of Milano (313 d.C.), recognized the freedom of cult to its citizens, and then after years of persecutions, he liberalized Christianity. In his honor was dedicated the sanctuary, erected in the territory of Sedilo in XIII the century d.C. and reconstructed several times. Numerous pilgrims reach the church, where in July takes place the spectacular Ardia. According to a tradition, this event between the sacred and profane boasts at least 400 years. It remembers the Victory of Costantino against his foe Massenzio on the battle of Ponte Milvio (312 A.D.).
In Samugheo, it is possible to admire the country little church dedicated to San Basilio (built in the XVI century) and the parochial church of the San Sebastiano (XVII century), with a square base and a big bell tower.
The Santa Lucia countrychurch is located between the town of Assolo and Senis, in a zone well-known to the prehistoric populations for the presence of obsidian seams. The archaeological diggings within and around the church have brought to light an ancient Roman thermal spa and the rests of a Paleo-Christian cemetery (IV-V century A.D.). Some structures, perhaps dating back to the beginning of the XI century, testify the existence of a monastery and a church dedicated to San Giorgio.
The country church of Santa Susanna (Busachi) was consecrated in 1349, when it assumed the function of parish for the village of Moddamenis (no longer existing). Around the little church, there are the “muristenes”, the places in which the faithfuls gathered for the novena. The building dedicated to Santa Susanna was built not later than 1341 ( the most ancient date to which some documents refer) in Romanesque style. Inside, the life of the Saint is illustrated by some admirable frescoes of the beginnings of 1800.
In the higher part of the old town centre of Neonèli, is locatted the parochial church of San Pietro, constructed in 1611 on the rests of a previous church (perhaps of the XV century). In the façade, the rose trachite colour stands out, while inside a silver monstrance of the 1400 is guarded. At the entrance of Neonèli, in the half of the XVII century, was built the country church of the Angel. Here, on the first Monday of August is held the "sagra de s' Angelu", a festival of pastoral origin. A great banquet involves the population and the pilgrims inside the park, before giving start to dances and Sardinian songs.
In the cemetery of Bidonì you can visit the small but beautiful church of San Pietro apostle, constructed in the XII century with blocks of red trachite: the Romanesque style has not been modified by the following restoration works. Not far away from the town the sanctuary dedicated to Santa Maria de Ossolo is also worth a visit (it takes the name from the palce in which it is located): constructed in the XVII century using rose trachite, of which the Barigadu is rich. It has conserved the arcade but not the "cumbessias", the small houses that in the past were used to accommodate the pilgrims, especially for the festivity of Saint Maria (29 August).
