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Cagliari - Cathedral
The province of Cagliari is situated in the southern part of Sardinia, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the south and on the east, it is bounded by the Provinces of Nuoro, Ogliastra and Oristano on the north, and by the Provinces of Carbonia-Iglesias and of Medio Campidano on the west.
It spreads out for 4569 square kilometres (19% of Sardinian territory) and comprises 71 communes including the city of Cagliari, which is the capital of the Province and of the entire Sardinian region.
As well as the rest of the island, the province of Cagliari presents a very heterogeneous territory: the variety of rocks is remarkable, as well as the minerals, the highlands, the caves and the coasts.
The Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park in the inner part of the province, is a rare example of an ecosystem in highly anthropized areas. It is one of the most important places in Europe for the extraordinary number of birds that find shelter. 177 among the 330 Sardinian birds species live in the pond of Molentargius, more than a quarter of all European bird species. At certain times of the year, these can exceed the 20.000 specimens. Among these: flamingos, herons and little egrets.
The park borders with one of Italy’s widest beaches, the Poetto, which spreads out for eight kilometres, and is the main beach of Cagliari. Next to the capital, there is also the Sette Fratelli – Monte Generis Regional Park, one of the most extended parks in the island and natural environment for the Sardinian deer, and the Sella del Diavolo’s promontory. Its name derives by the legend that Lucifer carved the profile of his saddle on the rock after being expelled from Paradise.
The eastern part of the Province is made up by the subregion of Sarabus-Gerrei, subject to considerable drainage works at the beginning of the twentieth century in order to eliminate malaria: it is a wild zone, but it is rich in typical villages.
The city of Cagliari, situated at the centre of the gulf and capital of the Province as well as of the Region, has got a rich historical and artistic heritage. It is worth visiting the fortified quarter of the Castello, that is situated on a rock dominating the city and is rich of monuments of rare beauty: among which, besides the castle itself, the Bastione di Saint Remy, of medieval age, the Elephant Tower and the Saint Pancras Tower, and Saint Mary’s Cathedral, situated in the beautiful Piazza Palazzo, where there is also the Palazzo Regio. Also the Cittadella dei Musei deserves a visit, formed by a wide central court with buildings all around in which there are the most important historical artistic collections of the city: there are the Museo archeologico nazionale, which is the most important in the world for the Nuraghi civilization and also houses a rich of Phoenician-Punic collection, the Pinacoteca nazionale, the Museo d’Arte siamese Stefano Cardu (Siamese Art) and the Clemente Susini Waxworks Collection.
Also outside the quarter of Castello, Cagliari is rich of interesting places, such as the Amphitheatre and the Villa of Tigellio, of Roman age, the Necropolis of Tuvixeddu, with hundreds of tombs datable between the 6th B.C. and the 1st A.D., the Grotta della Vipera (viper’s cave) and the Basilica of San Saturnino, founded in the 5th-6th century, which is an important document of the High Middle Ages. It is worth visiting the neighbourhood of Stampace, Marina and Villanova as well. The first was the neighbourhood of bourgeois and merchants, the second of fishermen and sailors, and the third of shepherds and peasants.
Besides the city of Cagliari, it is also worth visiting the Museo etnografico “Il Ciclo della vita” (Ethnographic Museum “The cycle of life”) in Quartu Sant’Elena, which contains over than 5.000 finds that may be dated from the 13th to the 20th century showing the traditions of the Sardinian agricultural and pastoral society and propitiatory rituals associated with it.
In the western part of the Province are to be reported, among others, the church of San Giuliano in Selargius, built between the 12th and 13th century, the Tomba dei Giganti Is Concas (Tomb of the Giants Is Concas) and the Archaeological Park of Cuccuru Nuraxi, in Settimo San Pietro, which contains a structured nuraghe, partly destroyed but which contains a sacred well. Moreover, the Archaeological Park of Nora, situated in a small peninsula in the town of Pula, which contains the remains of some buildings typical of the Roman city, but also a rich and original trace of mosaics, among the most important of Sardinia and characterized by the almost exclusive use of white, black and ochre.
For lovers of the sea, the Province of Cagliari is the perfect place for a holiday, thanks to its beautiful beaches: besides the above mentioned beach of Poetto, it is worth remembering the Tueredda beach (among the numerous ones), the Porto Piscinni beach, and those all around Villasimius, Costa Rei and Santa Margherita di Pula, which are all famous and well equipped tourist resorts. Moreover, the coastal area around Villasimius also became a protected marine area, with the intent to preserve the integrity of the beaches and the population of plants and animals of the seabed. In the area, it is possible to do several dives and excursions; just among the excursions, we recommend to go to the Capo Carbonara Promontory.
But the Province of Cagliari is not only beaches: the variety of environment makes it to be the ideal place also for excursions, by foot or by bicycle, and the area around the pond of Molentargius is a true paradise for lovers of photography and birdwatching. Throughout the province, there are many places where you can go horse riding, and in the coastal area windsurf is also very popular. Some tourist resorts have important facilities such as golf courses.
Moreover, as in the rest of the island, during the year there are many events and folkloristic ceremonies, including the famous Sagra di S. Efisio, a huge procession in traditional costumes which takes place on the first day of May in Cagliari attracting people from all over the island. Finally, the villages of the area of Serrabus are custodians of one of the most ancient Sardinian traditions: that of the players of launeddas, a music instrument of archaic origins, with three rods, used to accompany the many festivals and religious ceremonies in the area.
As in the rest of the island, in the province of Cagliari there are the ever-present starters consisting in cold cuts and local salami, accompanied by the classic pecorino cheese and by pane frattau, that is to say carasau bread seasoned with tomato, olive oil and parmesan.
In the coastal area appetizers of sea-based salads, seafood such as crabs, shrimps and lobsters are also popular. Typical of the area of Cagliari is the burrida prepared with dogfish seasoned with nuts, olives and mushrooms. Among the first course dishes we mention the malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) with sausage and tomato sauce, the mazzamurru or soup of stale bread and sa fregula, small balls of pasta made by hand and toasted in the oven. Among the second courses, those of rural origins are very popular as the roast or stewed lamb (seasoned with a sauce made from crushed dried tomatoes, garlic and olive oil) and roast pork (su porceddu), as well as dishes made with goat or game. Another typical dish is the cordula con piselli (cordula with peas), intestines of lamb fried in olive oil with garlic and parsley and then baked in a pot with the peas.
Among the specialties of Cagliari related to the sea, we mention the clams and mussels a schiscionera (cooked in a pan with garlic, olive oil and parsley and sprinkled bread crumbs), the bottarga (eggs of mullet or grey mullet salted and matured and served in thin slices seasoned with olive oil), lobster a la campidanese (boiled and seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice) and su scabbecciu (fish preserved in fried oil, vinegar and garlic).
Among the desserts, you can taste the pardulas (better known as "formaggelle") made of cheese and “ricotta”, the bianchittus, done with egg whites and sugar, the Pan'e Saba (made with flour, raisins, walnuts, pine nuts, almonds and cinnamon) and amaretti.
The most popular wines of the province of Cagliari are Nuragus, Malvasia, Cannonau, Campidano, while the Mastino is a typical liqueur.
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