The Mediterranean capital that was once a layer of human history
Beneath the Art Nouveau facades of Cagliari lies five millennia of continuous settlement. From Neolithic relics to Roman amphitheaters and Pisan towers, this Sardinian hub has been a strategic prize for Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Spanish emperors alike.
Cagliari’s identity is defined by its deep stratification. The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, with prehistoric remains found at Monte Claro and Cape Sant'Elia. By the 8th or 7th century BC, the Phoenician colony of Karaly was established, utilizing the excellent port to connect with Africa. This settlement eventually grew under Carthaginian domination, leaving behind the large Tuvixeddu necropolis.
The Roman era brought significant urban development. Following the defeat of the Carthaginians in 238 BC, the Romans established a fortified community known as the vicus munitus Caralis. During the civil wars between Caesar and Pompey, the citizens of Caralis were notably the first in Sardinia to declare for Caesar. The city later achieved the status of a municipium and remained a vital Roman naval station.
The Middle Ages saw a complex shift in power. After periods of Byzantine and Vandal rule, the independent Judicate of Cagliari emerged around 1020. However, the 13th century brought intense competition between the Republic of Pisa and Genoa. In 1215, Pisan forces established the fortified Castel di Castro, the ancestor of the modern city. By 1324, the Aragonese conquest transformed the city into the administrative capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, a role it held under the Spanish Empire until the House of Savoy took control in 1718.
Today, Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia, with a metropolitan population of approximately 536,245. While it serves as a modern economic and industrial hub with a significant Mediterranean port, its history remains visible in its diverse architecture and ancient monuments.
Source: Cagliari
