Sights of Cagliari. The most important and interesting sights of Cagliari - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.
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Cagliari Cathedral
Cagliari, Piazza Palazzo, 4
The historical center of Cagliari is crowned by a beautiful medieval building - the Cathedral of St. Mary. Rising above the other buildings of Royal Square, it literally sets the mood for the local architectural ensemble. The cathedral was reconstructed according to ancient original models.
On the southern coast of the island of Sardinia, in a picturesque hilly valley, the city of Cagliari is located - the administrative center of the province and the main cultural center of the autonomous region. The centuries-old history of the city has contributed to the local culture, architecture and traditions, which determines the extraordinary tourist attractiveness of Cagliari. In the bosom of the fantastic nature of the southern resort, hundreds of historical monuments, unsurpassed in beauty and originality, have found shelter. It's amazing that such a simple and small town can be so rich and multifaceted. In any case, experienced travelers note that Cagliari has a special atmosphere - a soul.
And for that matter, we can safely call the Cathedral the heart of the city - so to speak, the zero meridian in the countdown of Cagliari attractions. A magnificent architectural masterpiece of the Middle Ages is located in the historical center of the city - the Castello district. Let us note without exaggeration that the cathedral is tacitly recognized as the face of the city, the main highlight of the architectural ensemble and a respected religious center.
Poetto beach, which is considered perhaps the most luxurious beach in Sardinia.
The historical heritage of Cagliari is generally difficult to overestimate. Dozens of castles, temples and fortresses found shelter in the city as relics of a dashing past. All of them steadily form an authentic image of Cagliari, which is already not devoid of charisma. The ancient fortress of San Michele, located on the hill of the same name, is very popular among city guests. In appearance it is gloomy and forbidding, and yet it serves as the main creative platform of Cagliari. And the most romantic place is considered to be the Bastion of San Remy. Although he cannot boast of considerable age, he definitely stands out with his external charm.
Cagliari inherited a quite decent amphitheater from the Roman Empire. It is surprising that the structure, created by ancient people more than 20 centuries ago, still valiantly serves its purpose. No, gladiators no longer fight here, but summer concerts and theater performances are held very often. But even in the absence of such, the Roman amphitheater in Cagliari is worth a visit. He is self-sufficient in his uniqueness.
The National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari will help summarize information about the cultural heritage of the city. It contains and carefully systematizes thousands of unique artifacts telling about life on the island since the Neolithic era. The museum's collection is extremely rich and valuable, and among the exhibits you can find real works of ancient art.
Along with historical monuments, Cagliari is also rich in natural assets. Take, for example, the city beach of Poetto, which is considered perhaps the most luxurious beach in Sardinia. And it is named so for a reason: the place really looks at least poetic. By the way, the same can be said about Molentarjus Park. Moreover, it is rapidly becoming one of the most important nature reserves in Europe. In the park you can admire pink flamingos walking freely along the lake shores. And the real abundance of flora is demonstrated by the Botanical Garden of Cagliari, which contains plants from all corners of the globe. If a city has a soul, then it lives somewhere here.
And the province of the same name, located in the south of the island, in the Bay of Santa Gila.
Cagliari weather:
History of Cagliari:
The first settlement here was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. e. Above the port, on the mountain, rises the Old Town, surrounded by white walls, from where a beautiful panorama opens up to the endless sea and surrounding lands.
Cagliari has seen many foreign conquerors - until Sardinia became part of the united Kingdom of Italy, the Phoenicians, Vandals, etc. visited here. During the Second World War, the Allies bombed the capital of Sardinia from the air, and as a result, many historical and architectural monuments were damaged. Unfortunately, some of them were never restored.
Cagliari Tourist Office
- Piazza Matteotti, 9
- 070 66 92 55
- daily 08.00–20.00
- www.provinzia.caqliari.it
Sights of Cagliari:
Let's start the journey from piazza Matteotti (Piazza Matteotti).
1. Municipality
Opposite the tourist office there is a white building of the Municipality ( Municipio, 1907) with two towers, decorated with bas-reliefs in the Art Nouveau style.
2. Church of Sant'Agostino
Further along largo Carlo Felice (largo Carlo Felice) you can go to Church of Sant'Agostino(Chiesa di Sant'Agostino). This temple with a modest beige facade is one of the few examples of Renaissance architecture in Sardinia.
3. Bastion of San Remy
Via Manno goes to piazza Costituzione (Piazza Constitutionione), where it is located Bastion of San Remy (Bastione di San Remy, XIX century), built on the ruins of older Spanish fortifications.
4. University Palace
On via Universita stands the baroque University Palace ( Palazzo dell'Universita, 1770), where the library of the University of Cagliari is now located.
5. Torre dell'Elefante
Closes the street Torre del Elefante (Torre dell'Elefante, "Elephant Tower"). It was built in 1307 and received its nickname in honor of a small stone figurine depicting an elephant, installed at a height of 10 m.
6. Cathedral of Santa Maria
From the Bastion of Sant Remi along the fortress wall along via Martini (via Martini) you can go to piazza Palazzo (Piazza Palazzo), where the cathedral is located Cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria), built in the 13th century in the Romano-Pisan style. In the 17th-18th centuries it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The temple preserves two ancient departments(Guglielmo da Pisa, 12th century), donated by the Pisans to the city of Cagliari in 1312.
- Cathedral of Santa Maria
- Mon–Fri 08.00–12.30, 16.30–20.00, Sat, Sun 08.00–13.00, 16.00–20.00
7. Purissima Church
Church Chiesa della Purissima on via dei Genovesi (via dei Genovesi) was built in 1554 in the Catalan Gothic style. In the interior you can see altars and a crucifix from the 16th century, as well as a carved wooden altar and a marble pulpit from the 18th century.
8. Torre di San Pancrazio
From the cathedral via Martini leads to Torre San Pancrazio (Torre di San Pancrazio), built, like Torre del Elefante, at the beginning of the 14th century.
- Piazza Indipendenza
- Tue–Sun 09.00–17.00
9. Citadel of Museums
From piazza Indipendenza begins Citadel of Museums (Cittadella dei Musei) is a modern complex that includes the National Archaeological Museum, the National Art Gallery, the Siamese-Stefano Cardu Museum and the Museum of Wax Anatomy. Until 1825, there was an arsenal here, in turn, erected on the site of ancient fortifications.
10. National Archaeological Museum
Collection of exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum ( Museo Archeologico Nazionale) tells about different historical eras in Sardinia; There are objects dating back to the 6th millennium BC. e. Of greatest interest are bronzetti, bronze figurines found during excavations in megalithic nuraghe towers (XVIII-XV centuries BC).
- National Archaeological Museum
- Piazza Arsenale
- summer Tue–Fri, Sun 09.00–13.30, 15.00–19.30, Sat 09.00–23.00,
- winter Tue–Sun 09.00–19.15
IN National Art Gallery(Pinacoteca Nazionale) presents a collection of works of art by local masters, as well as Spanish artists of the Renaissance.
- National Art Gallery
- Piazza Arsenale
- summer Mon–Sun 09.00–22.00, winter Tue–Sun 08.00–19.30
IN Museum Siamese Stefano Cardu (Museo Siamese Stefano Cardu, MAS) a collection of Siamese art is exhibited, which the traveler Stefano Cardu bequeathed to his hometown.
- Siamese Stefano Cardu Museum
- Piazza Arsenale
- Tue–Sun 09.00–13.00, 16.00–20.00, preliminary order
Wax Anatomy Museum (Museo delle Cere Anatomiche) was created in the 19th century as an analogue of the anatomical theater.
- Wax Anatomy Museum
- Piazza Arsenale
- Tue–Sat 09.00–13.00, 16.00–19.00, Sun 09.00–13.00
10. Roman amphitheater
To get to Roman amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano, II century), you need to go from the Citadel of Museums along Viale Buon Cammino (viale Buon Cammino) and turn onto viale Fra Ignazio da Laconi (viale Fra Ignazio da Laconi). This building is considered the most significant monument of ancient art in Sardinia. The amphitheater is located immediately behind the Botanical Garden.
- Roman amphitheater
- Viale Fra Ignazio da Laco
- Tue–Sun 09.00–13.00, 15.00–19.30
11. Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden ( Orto Botanico) is located in the very center of Cagliari. A rich collection of representatives of the Mediterranean flora is collected here. In addition to plants, on the territory of the garden you can find the remains of ancient Roman buildings that once formed the center of the ancient city. In addition, the botanical garden was and remains a wonderful place to relax, where in hot weather you can always find a secluded corner.
- Botanical Garden
- Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi
- Apr-Sep daily 08.00–13.30, 15.00–18.30,
- Oct.–March daily 08.00–13.30
12. Sanctuary and Basilica of Bonaria
Santuario and Basilica di Bonaria
The sanctuary and basilica of Bonaria are dedicated to the Madonna, the patroness of sailors and travelers. The sanctuary was built in the 14th century in the Catalan Gothic style, the basilica was built from the beginning of the 18th century and, due to lack of funds, was completed only in 1926, so it is a mixture of styles.
- Sanctuary and Basilica of Bonaria
- Piazzale Bonaria
- summer 10.00–12.00, 17.00–18.30,
- winter 09.00–12.00, 16.00–17.00
13. Church of San Giacomo
In Gothic Church of San Giacomo (Chiesa di San Giacomo, 1346) on via Garibaldi The terracotta sculptural group “Lamentation of Christ” from the 15th century is kept.
14. Church of San Saturno
The many times reconstructed building of the Romanesque church of San Saturno ( Chiesa di San Saturno, XII century) on piazza San Cosimo (Piazza San Cosimo) stands on the foundation of an early Christian basilica, and its central part with a dome and four arches dates back to the 5th-6th centuries.
In the vicinity of Cagliari:
Coast Costa Rei(Costa Rei) - one of the largest beaches on the island, 8 km long. There are several designated camping sites in the Costa Rei area. Hotels are mainly designed for wealthy clients. You can get to the beaches of Costa Rei from Cagliari by regular bus.
Costa Rei
- 62 km east of Cagliari
The largest settlement in this area is Villasimius(Villasimius), since 1960 this small fishing village has become a resort center on the south coast. The diversity of the seascape in the Villasimius area is given by the bizarre rocks that rise straight out of the water.
The best beaches near Cagliari:
Between Villasimius and Cagliari the most attractive beaches
- Porto sa Ruxi(Porto sa Ruxi),
- Cala Piscadeddus(Cala Piscadeddus),
- Campus(Campus) or Foxy(Foxi),
- Campulongu Beach(Campulongu Beach),
- Spiaggia del Riso(Spiaggia del Riso),
- Porto Junco(Porto Giunco),
- Notteri(Notteri),
- Spiaggia di Simius(Spiaggia di Simius) And
- Spiaggia di Molentis(Spiaggia di Molentis).
Nora
- 36 km south of Cagliari
Town Nora(Nora), located southwest of Cagliari, was founded in the 9th century BC. e. Phoenicians. The period of its greatest prosperity occurred during the Roman stage of history
It is difficult to visit Sardinia and drive past the capital of this Italian region - the city of Cagliari. This is not only the most interesting and beautiful city on the island, but also the main transport hub. Only the city of Olbia in the north of Sardinia has its own international airport, but all roads lead here. And since you are here, I will tell you everything you need to know about Cagliari - attractions, accommodation, transport, food and shopping.
The airport is located just a couple of kilometers within the city, all commuter trains pass by it. There are long intervals, but usually the wait time is about half an hour. A train ticket (2 stops) costs 1.25 euros, the ride takes 5-7 minutes. From the city, past the airport, the main highway of the island runs, connecting the largest cities of Sardinia - Cagliari-Oristano, and then two branches - to Nuoro and Olbia and to Sassari.
Cagliari airport
The main railway station of the city, quite deserted, is located almost in the center of Cagliari. The center of the city is considered to be a fortress on a rock (upper city) and several adjacent areas, in the latter, except for one church of the Archangel Michael built in the 16th century (consecrated in the 18th century) and the Roman amphitheater, there is nothing more to see. So for impressions and views you need to go to the city on the rock. You can get here in four ways - gates in the north, west and south and through the Saint Remy bastion, but it is closed for reconstruction and, judging by the pace of restoration, will not open soon.
Bastion Saint Remy
St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Church
The old town boasts a very nice cathedral and views of the rest of the city, sea and mountains. There is also a prefecture where you can enter for 1.5 euros, but there is almost nothing to see there. There are also many small churches in Cagliari.
One of the main squares of the city is Palace Square, where the prefecture is located. The square itself is essentially a parking lot. On the adjacent square one level below there is a cathedral (10 meters to the right of the photo point)
Prefecture
Prefecture
Prefecture
This is what the indigenous people of Sardinia looked like
Church of the Order of Malta
Church of the Holy Cross, former synagogue in the Jewish ghetto
The Cathedral of St. Mary and Cecilia itself was built in the 13th century in the Pisan style, but in the 17th and 18th centuries it was greatly updated, receiving internal Baroque outlines.
Cathedral
Some of the rulers of Sardinia are buried in the cathedral crypt
Medieval inscription on the outer wall of the cathedral
The mentioned views can be found from the walls in the west and east of the old city. But, if you want a straight “fairy tale”, then you need to climb one of the medieval towers. There are two of them in the city. But the western one in the city center (the Elephant Tower at the gate of the same name) is much lower, so it’s worth climbing the tower located at the northern gate - torre S. Pancrazio. There is also a Spur tower, but it is indistinguishable from an ordinary house.
St. Pankrat's Tower
Elephant Tower
Do you see the elephant?
Remains from the Roman period are few in number; in fact, only the amphitheater remains. It is located next to the northern gate, the terrain hides it perfectly, and even from the towers it is not visible. Entrance costs 5 euros, students under 26 and people over 65 - 3.5. Access only with a guide. This is a very intrusive service in Sardinia, almost all the sights can only be seen with a guide, who do not know your language and even English is difficult for them, but they walk with you and babble something in a wild mixture of Italian and English, and the most primitive - this is a house, this is a column. So, they won’t let you walk around, you will go downstairs, approach the stage and after 10 minutes they will tell you that the excursion is over. But there's really nothing to see there. The amphitheater is carved into the rock and has now been converted into a modern concert venue, that is, the base is antique, and on top there is a modern flooring. There is no point in paying money for this; the amphitheater is perfectly visible from the fence near the ticket office.
There are also city and archaeological museums at the northern gate, but the second one is closed; honestly, I didn’t visit the first one. Usually regional museums are not particularly interesting.
Archaeological Museum
Traces of the past
Shops can be found in the Via Iglesias area near the Saint Remy bastion, and in the Via Olbia area you can also find the grocery store closest to the center - Pam, if I'm not mistaken. There are cafes and restaurants in the block between Via Roma and the Old Town. I know of only two stores in the city. The Auchan hypermarket is located in the north of the city, about 3 km from the center, open until 9. If you have a car (and in Sardinia you can do without it), then any road from the city passes by it. There is a second railway station of the city nearby, you can try to get there on foot. I already wrote about Pam. At night you can find places with vending machines with food and water, sometimes it helps.
Main shopping street of Cagliari
I spent the night in several places in Cagliari, but it was difficult to choose the optimal combination of price and quality. There are not many places, some are occupied. But I made the best choice before leaving. Stayed in a small guest house in the city center - Sa Domu Cheta. Very comfortable and cozy rooms with Sardinian flavor in an old stone house. Excellent breakfast. Inexpensive. Convenient check-in and check-out times. Excellent Wi-Fi. Excellent English speaking administrator and very nice hosts who helped me out in a difficult situation. From what is available in the center in Cagliari, this is perhaps the best accommodation option - I recommend it!
Notice the hand embroidery on the pillowcases
The hostess prepares an amazingly delicious apple pie for breakfast herself.
I can’t say that there is so much interesting in Sardinia, local megalithic buildings, the same age as the Egyptian pyramids, are interesting here, beautiful nature, but the cities are almost all boring. Cagliari, I’m not afraid of this assessment, is the most interesting city in Sardinia. It’s worth stopping here to live a little, to feel like a proud subject of the Sardinian kingdom.
And remember, if you rent a car, do not rent it from companies Avis And Budget- they are clients' money!
And the administrative center of the province of the same name in the south, an important port and the oldest city on the island. The first settlements discovered in this area date back to the Phoenician era. Back in the 8th century BC. e. The Phoenicians founded a colony here called Karalis, which means “City of God” in ancient Phoenician. To this day, the Latin name of the city remains Caralis, while the Italians call it Cagliari and the Sardinians themselves Casteddu.
The city has an advantageous geographical position, located between a sea bay and fertile plains. Due to this, Cagliari is included in the list of the “greenest” cities in Italy and is represented by numerous natural areas where you can see rare representatives of flora and fauna. One of the most beautiful places is the Molentarjus Park, where there are lakes with pink flamingos. The Botanical Garden at the University of Cagliari also deserves attention.
The architecture of the city is no less interesting. During the course of many conquests, Cagliari changed rulers several times. Here you can find unique architectural monuments - castles, cathedrals, museums, Spanish bastions, a Roman amphitheater, the Leaning Towers of Pisa and other ancient buildings. The city was badly damaged during World War II, but was later rebuilt.
Conventionally, Cagliari is divided into two parts - old and new. Of particular interest to tourists is the ancient part, represented by historical architectural monuments. Today, tourists from all over the world come to Cagliari to see the two “Leaning Towers of Pisa” in the city center - the Elephant Tower and San Pancrazio - the 13th century Cathedral, Bastion of San Remy, Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century, the Cathedral of Santa Maria di Castello and the National Archaeological Museum.
Modern Cagliari is spread over 9 limestone hills along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The most famous hills include Mount Urpinu, Cape Sant'Elia, listed as a Pan-European Natural Monument, and the hill of San Michele with its beautiful medieval castle.
The main beach of the city is called Poetto. This is an eight-kilometer sandy beach in the eastern part of the city with a turquoise sea, numerous coastal bars, picturesque hills with ancient ruins. Poetto is considered one of the best beaches in Sardinia. The resort areas of the city also include the towns of Villasimius, Pula, Jeremeas, Marie Pintau, Marina di Capitana, Chia and some other beaches.
In addition to beautiful architecture, nature reserves and picturesque beaches, Cagliari boasts a string of fashion boutiques, lively clubs and discos, as well as romantic restaurants and pizzerias. For example, in Cagliari there is a lace store that has been selling snow-white fabric patterns for more than a century. There are also excellent confectionery shops, jewelry and wineries. The main trade artery of the city is ViaRoma, where the largest supermarket and a large number of small shops are located. On Sundays there is a flea market at the Bastion of Saint-Remy.
Based: ser. 9th century
Square: 134 km 2
Population: 153,758 people (2013)
Currency: Euro
Language: Italian, Sardinian
Official website: http://www.comune.cagliari.it/
Current time in Cagliari:
(UTC +2)
Cagliari loves various festivals and special events. For example, for more than 350 years, local residents have been celebrating the main event in the city every year from May 1 to 4 - Festival of Saint Efisio. It is on these days that a costumed festive procession takes place through the streets of the city, during which a statue of St. Ephysius is carried. Guests from all over the island come to this holiday. Traditionally, the statue is moved from Cagliari to Nora, where people also gather to honor the saint, and then the statue is returned. The official day of the city is October 30, the celebration of which coincides with the day of St. Saturnino.