The Church of Santa Maria di Betlem is the oldest church in Sassari, founded in 1106 by Benedictine monks. The building's facade is a palimpsest of Sardinian architectural history: Romanesque lower sections, a Gothic rose window, and Spanish Renaissance details added over the centuries. The interior contains notable Gothic carved stonework and some significant medieval frescoes.
The church is closely associated with the Discesa dei Candelieri (Descent of the Candles) — a Sassari festival held every August in honour of the Virgin Mary. The guilds of the city carry enormous decorated wooden candles through the streets to the church in a procession that has been held continuously since 1582. The candelabras themselves are housed in the church and are extraordinary works of folk art.