The Pisan domination can still be seen in Cagliari, despite the heavy bombing that destroyed much of the city during World War II. But it wasn’t just the war that changed the face of Cagliari. In the 14th century, it was the Aragonese who held power until the arrival of the Savoy in 1720.
Castello
The oldest district in Cagliari is without a doubt Castello, which even gives the city its name (Cagliari comes from the Sardinian Casteddu and Catalan Càller). The Pisan influence is clear in what was once the neighborhood of nobles and wealthy citizens, who could gaze towards the sea from above. Around 1200, the Pisans gave the city its layout, which then expanded significantly from the 20th century with the addition of 29 more districts. In the Castello district, you can still admire architectural masterpieces like the Torre di San Pancrazio and the Torre dell’Elefante, both of Pisan origin. Other highlights include the Bastione di Saint Remy and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, whose facade dates to 1900 but was originally built in the 13th century. Initially a Pisan Romanesque church, it was remodeled in the 1600s in Baroque style. The facade pays homage to the city of Pisa, reflected in its similarity to Santa Maria di Pisa. The district also houses the Palazzo Reale (also known as the Viceregio) and the Cittadella dei Musei (which includes the National Archaeological Museum, Regional Ethnographic Museum, and National Art Gallery). The entire neighborhood is surrounded by walls and a rampart, where members of the Savoy family once strolled and, during holidays, small orchestras used to play.
Stampace
The Stampace district is easily recognized thanks to the Chiesa di Sant’Efisio. The lively Sant’Efisio Festival, which runs almost all of May, attracts crowds of tourists and visitors to the city. The most important moment of the celebration—which, despite Sant’Efisio not being the patron saint of Cagliari (that honor belongs to San Saturnino), remains deeply venerated in the city and all over Sardinia—is during the first four days of May. During this time, Sant’Efisio, pulled by oxen, leaves Cagliari heading to nearby Nora (where he died as a martyr). He returns to the city late on the fourth day of May, dressed once again in the city clothes he left behind as he exited. The parade features participants in traditional Sardinian costume, along with riders and women from across the island. Stampace is also famous as the artists’ and craftsmen’s quarter, bordering the noble district of Castello to the west. In Stampace you’ll also find the Chiesa di Sant’Anna, best known for its seemingly endless renovations, so much so that in Sardinian, saying “Sa fabbrica de Sant’Anna” refers to anything that appears never-ending.
