Church of St. Peter of the Images
A masterwork of Pisan Romanesque standing in the Anglona region, this monastery church represents a rare surviving link to Sardinia’s medieval monastic network and the artistic traditions of the Florentine school.
At a glance
Built over nearly two centuries between 1050 and 1220, St. Peter of the Images exemplifies the architectural vocabulary of Pisan Romanesque. Located 4 kilometres from Bulzi, it survives as part of an extensive ecclesiastical landscape—one of eight churches positioned along a historic line through Anglona, most founded as Benedictine abbey complexes.
History
The church rose in three construction phases spanning more than 150 years, its design influenced by Pisan architectural principles that reached Sardinia through maritime trade and cultural exchange. In the 12th century, the Judges of Torres—local rulers—donated properties including this monastery to the monks of Montecassino, integrating Sardinian foundations into the broader Benedictine network.
Scholars, including researcher Annamaria Premoli, have hypothesized that St. Peter of the Images may be identified with the church of San Pietro di Nurchi, documented in medieval records of Cassinesi possessions but never definitively located until recent decades. Archaeological evidence suggests the site itself held sacred significance in pagan times and may have been reused during the Byzantine period.
What you see
The church displays hallmark Pisan Romanesque features characteristic of Sardinian ecclesiastical buildings from this era. Originally furnished with wooden altars and devotional sculptures, it once sheltered a 13th-century wooden group representing the Deposition, attributed to an unknown artist of the Florentine school—works now preserved in the Parish of Bulzi.
The monastery complex, of which fragmentary walls remain visible, surrounded the church. Recent restoration and archaeological work have expanded understanding of the building and its monastic precinct, uncovering evidence of Roman occupation and evidence of later use.
Cultural significance
St. Peter of the Images stands as a testament to Sardinia’s integration into wider European monastic structures during the High Middle Ages. It anchors one arm of the Anglona ecclesiastical network, a rare concentration of medieval churches reflecting the region’s prosperity under the Judges of Torres and their patronage of continental religious orders.
Key facts
- Address: Strada Statale 134 di Castel Sardo, 07030 Bulzi
- Coordinates: 40.8354254, 8.8508465
- Phone: +39 348 652 2226
- Website: https://www.simbranos.it/home
Practical information
The church is accessible year-round. Recent restoration work has been completed. A source of Roman date in the surrounding area feeds a fountain at the church square. Opening hours are not listed; check the official website or phone ahead.
Getting there
St. Peter of the Images lies approximately 4 kilometres from Bulzi along the Strada Statale 134 towards Laerru. The Municipality has recently installed a wooden bridge and footpath that allows pedestrians and cyclists to reach the church via part of the ancient route that once connected Bulzi to the site, offering an alternative to the main road.
In the wider area, visitors can explore the Nuraghe Rodas, a four-lobed nuragic structure with traces of an adjacent village, situated further afield.
Sources & resources
- Official website: simbranos.it
- Premoli, Annamaria. A sign in time. 1997.
- Cultural Heritage Online
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