Cagliari City is a 24hr metropolitan location where much of the islands non-touristic comercial, education and political activities take place and is the most populus area in Sardinia as well as the capital. The Sardinian name for Cagliari is Casteddu and means castle and you will find many old fortified areas in the center of the city including the old town with its beautiful architecture and narrow cobblestone streets.
Things to do and see
- Visit the Castello, a castle located in the old part of the city. It offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding region.
- Explore the historic center of Cagliari, known as the “Marina District.” This area is home to several landmarks, including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, and the Bastione of Saint Remy.
- Visit the Cagliari Archaeological Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the Phoenician, Roman and medieval periods.
- Try some of the local cuisine, such as suckling pig, culurgiones (stuffed pasta) and seadas (a type of dessert).
- Go shopping in the Via Manno and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, two of the main shopping streets in the city.
History
Cagliari is the capital and largest city of the Italian island of Sardinia. It has a long and rich history, having been settled by the Phoenicians, Romans and Byzantines, among others. Here is a brief history of the city:
- The Phoenicians established a trading post in Cagliari in the 9th century BC. The city was later conquered by the Romans, who named it “Caralis.”
- During the Middle Ages, Cagliari was ruled by a series of dynasties, including the Pisans, the Aragonese and the Spanish.
- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cagliari underwent significant industrialization and modernization.
- During World War II, Cagliari was heavily bombed by the Allies, resulting in significant damage to the city.
- In the post-war period, Cagliari experienced rapid economic growth and development, becoming a major cultural and economic hub in Sardinia.
Property
There is a diverse range of property types as you would expect with many apartments and townhouses. Further afield you will come across traditional Sardinian ‘Campidanese’ style houses, these houses typically consist of a large walled courtyard with rooms on 2 or 3 sides of the wall all with doors and windows facing into the central courtyard area and normally connected by a porch the runs outside of the rooms. In the past extra rooms would also be used for livestock or workshops.
