Càgliari Things to Do

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The Elephant Tower is up in the castle area. From Piazza Yenne go up a slope, which then changes to flight of steps,at the foot of the steps is a council run electric lift. As you approach the tower look up and you will see the small elephant. Go through the tower gateway and look back you will see the open tower with the stairs up to the top.

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It is just really enjoyable and relaxing to walk around the old streets of Cagliari and enjoy the wonderful architecture. I'm not talking about the grand and important buildings (which are wonderful) but the everyday homes and squares of the city.
Once you get away from the rather chaotic harbour area you can explore the Marina, Stampace and Castello areas which all hold the delights of being in Italy.
Beware though that the city is built on a hill and is quite steeply inclined in places. This does give rise though to some wonderful views of the town and surrounding area especially once you get up into Castello and the Bastione San Remy (which can also be accessed by a lift !).
This could mean that you might have to stop and enjoy a cold beer or a cappuchino to sustain you - but what the hell - you're on holiday. Buona Vacanze !!

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Nowadays headquarter of Sovereign Order of Malta, this small and frugal church (once center for Santa Maria del Monte di Pietà brotherhood) is located in the heart of the old jewish district.
A first building phase dates back to middle of XVI century (the Gothic side), but the Renaissance elements were added later. After the brotherhood was abolished, in 1866, the churh was alternatively utilized as Court of Appeal headquarter, municipal music school and gymnasium; restored and reopened in 2000, it often hosts classic and contemporary music concerts.

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This scenographic rampart (wich links the Castle district with the low area of the town) dates back to the end of XIX century and has been built on pre-existent walls from spanish age (about XV century).
The main stairway goes up from Piazza Costituzione creating several and various ramps, which stop into a mezzanine open floor and a painted, bright covered walk.
The staircase ends to a large esplanade with palm trees, park benchs and some trendy coffehouses, from wich is possile to enjoy one of most spectacular and breathtaking 360° views of Cagliari.

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Built in 1307 during Pisan occupancy, the Elephant's tower holds a strategic area and always acted as main access to Castle district. Its four floors are linked by steepy wooden stairs: according to pisan architecture, the district side is opened and the other three are closed to the city view by white limestone walls.
During centuries the tower changed its main use: was alternatively used as storehouse, officeholders homesite and penitentiary.
Pisan castellans blazons are well preserved and visible on every floor.

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It was designed and built between 1862 and 1869, following the project of the most important sardinian architect Gaetano Cima. It's located on Palabanda valley, near Roman amphitheatre and Tigellio's Villa, an area protected from winds and once Gesuits possession.
Gardens surface is about 5 hectares and organised in 4 areas, according to species: mediterranean, tropical, succulent herbs and medicinal herbs (for therapeutic, nutritive and textile uses); a total of 600 trees, 550 shrubs, 75 lianas and 800 types carefully treated in pots are hosted here.
Within the garden there are some cisterns of about 160 mc, remains from Roman Age; and a 'lybarium', a sort of fountain built by Romans, which actors from nearby theatre used to quench.

Doloretta was the beloved wife of Francesco Zedda Piras, the last owner of this Neoclassic Villa (formerly Villa Pollini), in honour of which the building was lastly entitled.
The original project, in1812, connected Villa Pollini with a small urban contest which included a little chapel (entitled to Maria Immacolata, now extinguished), some buildings for agricultural activities and some others destinated to workers. An Italian Garden surrounded the pink villa, but what now remains are some palm trees and the circular fountain, still working.
Villa Doloretta is currently hosting the Superintendence of Archaeology in Cagliari and Oristano provinces.

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Not really a 'villa', this area is what remains from a residential roman area of middle imperial age (II/III century d.C).
Finds show some thermal buildings and three opulent houses, all with a tetrastyle atrium and a central impluvium.
Two of the houses are very well preserved: the one said 'House of Painted Tablinum', with rests of a mosaic floor, and the 'House of Stuccos', which name comes from their decorative stuccos.

Tradition wants one of the houses once belonged to sardinian poet and musician Tigellio Ermogenes, who lived during Cesare and Cicero age.