
Cagliari History
Caglairi's origins are one of wonder, therefore cannot be attributed to one single civilisation.The name of the city, which translates to “The Castle” enforces how important that the central fortress was to the inhabitants of Cagliari.
The city's region may have been confirmed by a nomadic tribe around 5,000 BC. A more permanent settlement would have been achieved later by way of a trading colony by the Phoenicians in the 7th century.
The island of Sardinia was conquered by the Carthaginians back in the 3rd century BC. Following their defeat at the hands of the Romans it would then become part of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. There was a period of peace until the fall of the Roman Empire, when both the Vandals and the Byzantine Empire had taken over control of the island. In the 6th century the island became an independent kingdom which was later deserted due to continuous attacks by pirates.
The rebuilding of the city was undertaken during the Pisan Republic in the 11th century. The Kingdom of Aragon conquered the island in the 14th century where it was held under Spanish control for the next 400 years. It would later come under rule of the Habsburg dynasty of Austria. In 1720 the island was ruled by the House of Savoy.
Although The Duke of Savoy maintained a capital in the city of Turin, the dynasty would take the title of Kings of the Sardinian Kingdom. Although the French tried to gain control of the island, the citizens of Cagliari fought against the invasion.Such actions for this loyalty included concession or reward. As a result the city rose against the rules. This is why “Sardinian Day” is celebrated on the last weekend in April.
Visiting Cagliari today shows what an important rule the city played within Italy and Europe’s history.
Cagliari History