Cagliari is the capital of the island of Sardinia, a region in southern
Italy. Situated on the south coast of the island, it is one of the
largest ports on the Mediterranean and is the economic hub of Sardina,
an important centre of industry, culture and education. The
Italian telecommunications company Tiscali has its headquarters in the
city and it also accommodates Sardinia's oldest university, as well as
one of the largest fish markets in Italy. With its miles of sandy
beaches, atmospheric old city and stunning countryside nearby, it is
not hard to see why Cagliari is a popular tourist destination.
Cagliari, originally named Karalis, was one of a number of colonies founded on Sardinia by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. Having been captured by the Carthaginians, it was conquered by the Romans in 238 BC. After the fall of Rome, it was invaded by the Vandals and later became part of the Byzantine Empire, before setting itself up as an independent kingdom. Because of its strategic location, on the trade routes between Italy and Africa, Cagliari attracted the attention of the maritime Republics of Pisa and Genoa in the 11th century. Pisan merchants established a fortified city, Castel di Castro, on a hill near to the existing town, and this remained a self-governing city. In the 14th century, Sardinia became part of the Kingdom of Aragon, and Cagliari (which now included Castel di Castro) was its capital. Sardinia came under the control of the House of Savoy in 1718. Subsequent to becoming part of a united Italy in 1861, Cagliari underwent a period of rapid growth. The city suffered extensive bombardment by the Allies in WWII, although it soon recovered after the war.
Cagliari is known as the City of Sun on account of its miles of sunny
beaches. Its main beach is the Poetto,
which stretches for 8 kilometres, from Sella del Diavolo to Quartu
Sant'Elena. This is one of the longest beaches in Italy and is
famous for its fine white sand. There is a smaller beach at
Calamosca, near the Sant'Elia district. Whilst the beaches are
popular they are by no means Cagliari's only attraction.
The Castello district of Cagliari is the oldest part of the city and is where most of its historic architecture is to be found. Situated on a hill within thick defensive walls, this was Sardinia's administrative and ecclesiastical centre. Like many of the buildings within, the city walls were built from the local white limestone, earning the city the nickname White Jerusalem. Castello is best entered from its southern access point, via the Bastione San Remy on the Piazza Costituzione. Here, a steep flight of steps ascends to a broad terrace which offers fantastic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. This leads to the maze of alleys that make up much of the old town. To the north is the Piazza Palazzo, the heart of the old city. This is the location of the cathedral, the bishop's palace and the Palazzo Viceregio, once the residence of the kings of Sardinia.
Cagliari Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria) was built by the Pisans in the 13th century in the prevailing Romanesque style. It acquired its transept in the 14th century and was subsequently renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Baroque style. In a restoration undertaken in the 1930s, the Baroque façade was replaced with a neo-Romanesque one, returning the cathedral to its original appearance. The interior attractions include the ambon of Guglielmo, a pair of sculptured pulpits which were originally made for Pisa Cathedral in the 12th century, and a 15th century Flemish triptych. The crypt houses the Sanctuary of the Martyrs, which contains the relics of several martyrs discovered during 17th century excavations near the Basilica of San Saturnino. Nearby is the Torre di San Pancrazio, a tower which, along with the Torre dell`Elefante to the west, was an essential part of the city's fortifications. Both towers offers amazing views of the city and its port. Formerly a prison, the Torre di San Pancrazio was used as an observatory by Alberto Lamarmora, Sardinia's leading scientist in the 19th century.
Next to the Torre di San Pancrazio is an archway that leads to the Cittadella dei Musei (Citadel of Museums), a museum complex built on the site of a royal arsenal. This houses the city's main museums, including the Museo Archeologico (Archaeological Museum), which traces Sardinia's past from prehistoric times through its large collection of artefacts, jewellery, statuettes, ceramics and coins. Next to this is the Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Picture Gallery), which boasts a large collection of paintings that span the 15th to 20th centuries, including work from the Spanish school. It also includes displays of ecclesiastic possessions, the prize exhibit being an impressive set of altarpieces. Also in the Citadel of Museums is the Siamese Museum, which comprises collections of Asian ivories, coins, weapons and silverware dating from the 11th century. Just to the north of the cathedral, on the Viale Regina Elena, is the Galleria Comunale d'Arte (Communal Art Gallery), housed in a 19th century neo-classical building. This contains both an art galley and ethnography collection, both representing Sardinia's long and varied cultural tradition. The old city is also the location of the University of Cagliari, Sardinia's first university, founded in 1620.
Between the Castello and the waterfront is the Marina quarter, which
has an arcaded street with shops and cafes, and an abundance of
old narrow streets. Scarred by bombing during WWII (the signs of
which are still visible), this area has more modern buildings and lacks
the character of the old town. There are, however, a few
interesting old churches in this area, notably: Sant'Eulalia, which leads to an
underground complex that reveals part of the old Roman city; and San Sepolcro, a
Gothic-Catalan church housing a fine wooden altarpiece with an
effigy of the Virgin of Pietà. Near the church of
Sant'Eulalia there is a small theatre which is used as an open air
cinema in the summer.
Villanova is Cagliari's busy new town. Built in the 1930s, this has some interesting Art Nouveau architecture and is the location of the Basilica of San Saturnino, one of the most important Palaeo-Christian monuments in the Mediterranean. The latter dates from the 5th century and is dedicated to the martyr Saturninus of Cagliari, the patron saint of the city. This was partially demolished in the mid-17th century to provide building material for the cathedral. All that remains of the original structure is the central part and the dome, located within a walled area which includes a Palaeo-Christian necropolis. Another important sacred building in this area is the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonaria (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria) built by the Catalans in the 1320s. The interior contains a wooden statue of the Madonna discarded from a Spanish ship. Another interesting church is the 17th century Chiesa di San Lucifero, dedicated to St Lucifer, a bishop of the city. This has a Baroque façade, with columns and sculptured adornments, and a Paleo-Christian crypt. There is also the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, which is situated in the Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens) - this has a fine collection of works by 20th century Sardinian artists.
In a small valley to the northwest of the old city, on the Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi, are the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre (Anfiteatro Romano). Carved into a block of limestone rock, this dates back to the 2nd century and had a capacity of 10,000 spectators. Despite its imperfect condition, the Amphitheatre is still used as a venue for open-air concerts and operas in the summer. There are further Roman remains in the Stampace district, to the west of Cagliari. These include the ruins of the Villa di Tigellio, a small complex of private dwellings adorned with frescos and stuccos.
The Orto Botanico dell'Università di Cagliari is a large botanical garden, situated to the west of the city centre, next to the Roman amphitheatre. Operated by the university, this contains around 2000 species of plant, comprising Mediterranean plants, succulents and tropical plants. The garden also contains some Roman remains (the ancient cisterns) and caves in which ferns are grown. On the east of the city is the largest of Cagliari's parks, Monte Urpinu, which has pine trees and artificial lakes. Standing atop a hill to the northwest of the old city is the Castello di San Michele, a magnificent fortress dating from the 12th century. This has served as a palace for the aristocracy and a military base, but now houses the Municipal Centre of Art and Culture. It is surrounded by an attractive wooded park.
Cagliari-Elmas Airport is situated in the municipality of Elmas, 7 km from the city centre and provides connections to several Italian and European cities, including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Turin, London, Berlin, Brussels and Paris. Cagliari's main railway station offers easy access to other towns and cities in Sardinia. An efficient bus service operates in the city.
Cagliari, originally named Karalis, was one of a number of colonies founded on Sardinia by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. Having been captured by the Carthaginians, it was conquered by the Romans in 238 BC. After the fall of Rome, it was invaded by the Vandals and later became part of the Byzantine Empire, before setting itself up as an independent kingdom. Because of its strategic location, on the trade routes between Italy and Africa, Cagliari attracted the attention of the maritime Republics of Pisa and Genoa in the 11th century. Pisan merchants established a fortified city, Castel di Castro, on a hill near to the existing town, and this remained a self-governing city. In the 14th century, Sardinia became part of the Kingdom of Aragon, and Cagliari (which now included Castel di Castro) was its capital. Sardinia came under the control of the House of Savoy in 1718. Subsequent to becoming part of a united Italy in 1861, Cagliari underwent a period of rapid growth. The city suffered extensive bombardment by the Allies in WWII, although it soon recovered after the war.
The Castello district of Cagliari is the oldest part of the city and is where most of its historic architecture is to be found. Situated on a hill within thick defensive walls, this was Sardinia's administrative and ecclesiastical centre. Like many of the buildings within, the city walls were built from the local white limestone, earning the city the nickname White Jerusalem. Castello is best entered from its southern access point, via the Bastione San Remy on the Piazza Costituzione. Here, a steep flight of steps ascends to a broad terrace which offers fantastic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. This leads to the maze of alleys that make up much of the old town. To the north is the Piazza Palazzo, the heart of the old city. This is the location of the cathedral, the bishop's palace and the Palazzo Viceregio, once the residence of the kings of Sardinia.
Cagliari Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria) was built by the Pisans in the 13th century in the prevailing Romanesque style. It acquired its transept in the 14th century and was subsequently renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Baroque style. In a restoration undertaken in the 1930s, the Baroque façade was replaced with a neo-Romanesque one, returning the cathedral to its original appearance. The interior attractions include the ambon of Guglielmo, a pair of sculptured pulpits which were originally made for Pisa Cathedral in the 12th century, and a 15th century Flemish triptych. The crypt houses the Sanctuary of the Martyrs, which contains the relics of several martyrs discovered during 17th century excavations near the Basilica of San Saturnino. Nearby is the Torre di San Pancrazio, a tower which, along with the Torre dell`Elefante to the west, was an essential part of the city's fortifications. Both towers offers amazing views of the city and its port. Formerly a prison, the Torre di San Pancrazio was used as an observatory by Alberto Lamarmora, Sardinia's leading scientist in the 19th century.
Next to the Torre di San Pancrazio is an archway that leads to the Cittadella dei Musei (Citadel of Museums), a museum complex built on the site of a royal arsenal. This houses the city's main museums, including the Museo Archeologico (Archaeological Museum), which traces Sardinia's past from prehistoric times through its large collection of artefacts, jewellery, statuettes, ceramics and coins. Next to this is the Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Picture Gallery), which boasts a large collection of paintings that span the 15th to 20th centuries, including work from the Spanish school. It also includes displays of ecclesiastic possessions, the prize exhibit being an impressive set of altarpieces. Also in the Citadel of Museums is the Siamese Museum, which comprises collections of Asian ivories, coins, weapons and silverware dating from the 11th century. Just to the north of the cathedral, on the Viale Regina Elena, is the Galleria Comunale d'Arte (Communal Art Gallery), housed in a 19th century neo-classical building. This contains both an art galley and ethnography collection, both representing Sardinia's long and varied cultural tradition. The old city is also the location of the University of Cagliari, Sardinia's first university, founded in 1620.
Villanova is Cagliari's busy new town. Built in the 1930s, this has some interesting Art Nouveau architecture and is the location of the Basilica of San Saturnino, one of the most important Palaeo-Christian monuments in the Mediterranean. The latter dates from the 5th century and is dedicated to the martyr Saturninus of Cagliari, the patron saint of the city. This was partially demolished in the mid-17th century to provide building material for the cathedral. All that remains of the original structure is the central part and the dome, located within a walled area which includes a Palaeo-Christian necropolis. Another important sacred building in this area is the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonaria (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria) built by the Catalans in the 1320s. The interior contains a wooden statue of the Madonna discarded from a Spanish ship. Another interesting church is the 17th century Chiesa di San Lucifero, dedicated to St Lucifer, a bishop of the city. This has a Baroque façade, with columns and sculptured adornments, and a Paleo-Christian crypt. There is also the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, which is situated in the Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens) - this has a fine collection of works by 20th century Sardinian artists.
In a small valley to the northwest of the old city, on the Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi, are the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre (Anfiteatro Romano). Carved into a block of limestone rock, this dates back to the 2nd century and had a capacity of 10,000 spectators. Despite its imperfect condition, the Amphitheatre is still used as a venue for open-air concerts and operas in the summer. There are further Roman remains in the Stampace district, to the west of Cagliari. These include the ruins of the Villa di Tigellio, a small complex of private dwellings adorned with frescos and stuccos.
The Orto Botanico dell'Università di Cagliari is a large botanical garden, situated to the west of the city centre, next to the Roman amphitheatre. Operated by the university, this contains around 2000 species of plant, comprising Mediterranean plants, succulents and tropical plants. The garden also contains some Roman remains (the ancient cisterns) and caves in which ferns are grown. On the east of the city is the largest of Cagliari's parks, Monte Urpinu, which has pine trees and artificial lakes. Standing atop a hill to the northwest of the old city is the Castello di San Michele, a magnificent fortress dating from the 12th century. This has served as a palace for the aristocracy and a military base, but now houses the Municipal Centre of Art and Culture. It is surrounded by an attractive wooded park.
Cagliari-Elmas Airport is situated in the municipality of Elmas, 7 km from the city centre and provides connections to several Italian and European cities, including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Turin, London, Berlin, Brussels and Paris. Cagliari's main railway station offers easy access to other towns and cities in Sardinia. An efficient bus service operates in the city.
Also in Italy:
Top tourist attractions in Cagliari, Italy:
- Amphitheater
- Bastione San Remy
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale
- Viale Regina Elena
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