Page 557 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

SARDINIA  555

The old core of Cagliari has an
appealing North African character.
In the high Castello district, the
Romans and, later, Pisans built
defences. The gracious Bastione
San Remy on Piazza Costituzione
offers magnificent views over the
city and surrounding countryside.
The Duomo is a 20th­century
rehash of a Romanesque building.
Flanking the entrance are two
12th­century pulpits originally
destined for the cathedral in Pisa.
Nearby is the Pisan tower
Torre San Pancrazio (14th
century). Down in Stampace
quarter, Piazza Yenne is the
centre of old Cagliari, with bars
The tiny resort of Carloforte, the capital of Isola di San Pietro full of young crowds. Nearby,
there is an elevator to the
20 km (12 miles) west of 9 Cagliari Castello quarter. From the part­
Oristano on the Sinis peninsula. * 165,000. k V @ g n Piazza ruined Torre dell’Elefante on Via
Matteotti 9 (070 66 92 55). ( daily; dell’Università to the port lies the
E Antiquarium Arborense also Sun (flea) and 2nd Sun of month Marina quarter, which expanded
Palazzo Parpaglia. Tel 0783 79 12 62. (antiques). ∑ cagliariturismo.it from the old town in the 16th
Open Jul & Aug: 9am–2:30pm, 3:30– to 17th centuries. In Piazza San
9pm Mon–Fri; 9am–2pm, 4–9pm Sat The capital of Sardinia, this site Cosimo, the 6th­century church
& Sun; Sep–Jun: 9am–8pm daily (Sat & was occupied by the Phoenicians, of San Saturnino is a rare monu­
Sun: closed 2–3pm). & 8 7 Carthaginians and Romans, and ment to Byzantine occupation.
extensive ruins of the Phoenician
8 Sant’Antioco city of Nora lie to the southwest E Cittadella dei Musei
of Cagliari. A 2nd­century Piazza Arsenale. Tel 070 675 76 27.
Cagliari. V @ n Pro Loco, Piazza Museo Archeologico Nazionale:
Repubblica 31a (0781 84 05 92). amphitheatre survives from
the Roman era, cut from rock. Open 9am–8pm Tue–Sun. & 7
The main town on this unspoiled Discover the town’s earlier Pinacoteca: Tel 070 66 24 96.
island is Sant’Antioco, once a history in the Cittadella dei Open 9am–8pm Tue–Sun. Closed
Phoenician port and an important Musei, the former royal arsenal. 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. & 7
Roman base. Proof of almost It houses several
continuous occupation is clear museums, including Eleonora of Arborea
from the catacombs, a Phoenician the Museo
burial place later used by Christ­ Archeologico A champion against
ians, under the 12th­ century Nazionale. The rule from abroad,
basilica of Sant’Antioco Martire. nuraghic items are the Eleonora was govern­
The Museo Archeologico has most interesting in the ing giudicessa
Phoenician artifacts. The Punic collection, especially the (judge) of Arborea,
Tophet (sanctuary of the goddess bronze votive statuettes. one of four
Tanit) and the necropolis are Also in the Cittadella dei administrative
nearby. The small Isola di San Musei is the Pinacoteca, divisions of
Sardinia, from
Pietro can be reached by ferry an art gallery. 1383–1404.
from Calasetta. Her marriage to Brancaleone
Doria consolidated Genoese
T Catacombs interests in Sardinia. She rallied
Piazza Parrocchia. Tel 0781 the island to keep out Spanish
830 44. Open 9am–noon, invaders who tried to claim
3:30–5:30pm Mon–Sat (6pm land that had been given to
Sat); Sun & hols: 3:30–6pm; the Aragonese King James II.
summer: also 7–8pm Mon– Her greatest legacy was the
Fri. 8 only. & 7 comple tion of the codifying
E Museo Archeologico of laws begun by her father.
Via Regina Margherita 113. Written in Sardinian, they
Tel 0783 744 33. Open 9am– called for community of
7pm daily. Closed 1 Jan, property in mar riage and
Easter, 8, 25, 26 Dec. 8 & The 6th-century church of San Saturnino in the right of women to seek
(& Tophet & necropolis). 7 Cagliari, built on a Greek-cross plan redress from rape.

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