The church of Santa Maria Assunta in Sorgono is the main parish church of the town and is one of the most significant religious buildings in the Mandrolisai area. Its construction dates back to the 16th century, when it was built in the late Sardinian Gothic style, with an original layout consisting of a single nave and a wooden roof. Over the centuries, the church underwent numerous alterations that deeply modified its appearance, adapting it to changing liturgical needs and to the architectural trends of different periods.
A particularly valuable feature is the bell tower, dated 1580, which has been preserved almost in its original form. Built in local trachyte, it has a simple yet elegant structure, marked by moulded cornices and single-lancet windows that lighten the mass of the masonry. The main façade, also in trachyte, now shows a tripartite layout, the result of restorations and reconstructions carried out during the 20th century, with three entrance portals surmounted by lunette windows that let natural light filter in, giving the interior a collected yet bright atmosphere.
The current three-aisled configuration is the result of a major transformation that took place between the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, when, due to structural problems and a general desire for enlargement, work was carried out on the structural layout, replacing the old stone pillars with reinforced concrete columns and pillars, a clear example of the use of modern materials in the conservation of historical heritage. These works made it possible to enlarge the interior space and strengthen the stability of the building, while preserving its original function as the religious fulcrum of the community.
Inside, the church contains sober decorations of strong devotional value, including Baroque-style side altars and several polychrome wooden statues dating from between the 17th and 18th centuries, depicting saints venerated locally. Particularly revered is the statue of the Assumption of the Virgin, placed on the high altar, an example of popular devotional sculpture, richly decorated and carried in procession during the patronal feast of 15 August.
The interior walls, restored over the course of the 20th century, display frescoes and painted decorations in Neoclassical and late 19th-century style, with floral motifs and Marian symbols that recall the cult of the Virgin. During the 20th century, the church underwent further maintenance and renovation works, involving not only the structure but also its decorative apparatus. In particular, during the 1950s, the side altars were restored and part of the flooring was redone, while in the following years new items of liturgical furnishings were added in accordance with the provisions of the Second Vatican Council.
The church overlooks a raised square, which enhances its imposing profile and underlines its central role in the religious and social life of Sorgono. Every year, on 15 August, on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the building becomes the beating heart of the celebrations: processions, songs and ancient popular traditions intertwine in a moment of intense collective participation, renewing the centuries-old bond between the community and its patroness.
Copyright: Fabrizio Galisai for Comunità Montana
