The church of San Michele di Plaiano can be found in the countryside near Sassari.
In 1082, the land around the current-day church was donated to the Opera del Duomo di Pisa on the wishes of Mariano I, Judge of Torres. At a later date, in 1115, the church passed into the hands of the Camaldolesi monks at the San Zeno monastery and then, in 1127, was run by the Vallombrosians. Finally, in 1444, its property was incorporated into the archdiocese of Torres.
We can split the construction of the building into two stages. The first one dates back to the donation of the land to the Opera di Santa Maria in 1082. The second, on the other hand, which concerns the extension of the church dates back to when it was entrusted to the Camaldolesi in 1115.
The building has a single nave and a roof with wooden trusses. It has no apse following its removal.
The facade, re-designed during the second stage, is bipartie by a horizontal cornice which reflects in the corner blocks. At the southern end, parts of the building from a later date are grouped together.
In the lower part, the facade has three transoms, featuring half pilasters next to the portal and joined to small shell arches. The portal features narrow capitals and has a slightly raised relieving pointed arch.
The gable has a false loggia carved out of a pair of small arches on semi-columns and a double-arched window.
The facade, in the small arches, has ashlars with geometrical motifs, originally inlaid using contrasting-coloured dowels.
The remains of the monastery are preserved in the open space next to the facade.
The church stands on the country road 60 about 8 km from Sassari.
