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Historic neighborhood · Cagliari, Sardenha
Castello
Walled neighborhood atop a hill, founded by the Pisans in the 13th century, with medieval gates, towers, the cathedral, the Palazzo Regio and viewpoints over the port and the lagoons.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Castello
The Castello is the highest of Cagliari's four historic districts, on a limestone hill about 100 metres above sea level. The Pisans founded it in 1215, surrounded it with walls and towers and moved there the civil, military and religious power. For that reason, in Sardinian the whole city is called Casteddu.
To this day the district is entered through gates opened in the walls. The Torre dell'Elefante, dated 1307, has a small stone elephant on its façade; the Torre di San Pancrazio guards the other entrance, near the Cittadella dei Musei. Between them lie narrow streets, noble palaces and the Piazza Palazzo, with the cathedral and the Palazzo Regio, the former seat of the viceroys.
Aragonese, Spanish and the House of Savoy kept their palaces there for centuries. The Università di Cagliari still has its seat in the district, in an 18th-century palace.
From the bastions the view covers the port, the Marina, Stampace and Villanova districts, the lagoons and the Poetto beach. Public lifts connect the lower part of the city to the Castello and spare the climb.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow 2 to 3 hours to walk the neighborhood, enter the cathedral and stop at the viewpoints.
Best time
In the morning, when the district is quieter, or at the end of the afternoon when the light hits the walls and the port. In summer, avoid the hottest hours during the climb.
How to get there
On foot via the Bastione di Saint Remy from Piazza Costituzione, or by the public lifts that rise from the Marina and from Stampace. The district has a ZTL: do not enter by car.
Tip
Wear comfortable footwear: the streets are cobbled and hilly. For the cathedral, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Castello
How can you get up to the Castello without so much hill-climbing?
By the public elevators that link the lower part of the city to the neighborhood. Climbing the staircase of the Bastione di Saint Remy is also a short ascent.
Can you drive into the Castello?
Not with an outside car. The neighborhood is a ZTL, a limited traffic zone. Leave the car in a parking area in the lower part.
What is the Torre dell'Elefante?
One of the Pisan towers from the early 14th century that guarded the entrances to the Castello. The name comes from the small elephant sculpture on the façade.