Sassari, the royal city which has the ambition of leading the region

The Province of Sassari, even though it has ceded a good part of its territory to the new provincial councils of Olbia and Tempio (through the local-government elections of 2005), is the largest one of Sardinia. Sassari is the provice capital: called “Capo di Sopra” (head of the upper part), it has always manifested a strong desire of autonomy towards the regional capital, Cagliari, named “Capo di Sotto” (head of the lower part), (in fact, it is located in the south end of the island).The rivalry has been always mostly political, but it is heated in the sporting ambit too.

Sassari gave birth to two Presidents of Republic: Antonio Segni and Francesco Cossiga. It is one of the seven royal towns together with Cagliari, Oristano, Bosa, Alghero, Castelsardo and Iglesias.

It was King Alfonso il Magnanimo d' Aragona to bestow the title of royal city to Sassari. And it was him to bestow titles of rank to the most important citizens of Sassari. The amity with Barcellona gave Sassari a boost from the political and economic point of view.

In 1438 the bishopric of the diocese of Torres wasn't transferred to Sassari by accident. In 1456 in this city were called the Parliaments, that is to say the assembly of the sardinian people (mostly arostocratics and rapresentatives of the clergy): from that moment it was officially tried to relieve the rival Cagliari from its powers and prerogatives. But the aim wasn't achived.