In photos: a walk around the ancient Sardinian city of Cagliari -

The capital city of Sardinia, Cagliari is an attractive port dominated by its hilltop Castello, a medieval walled quarter situated high over the rest of the town.

Here’s some photos from my recent short visit

Any city station that greets you with a preserved steam locomotive is OK in my book!

Cagliari has seen the rule of several civilisations, with a continuous human settlement dating back some five thousand years.

Now a regional cultural, educational, political and artistic centre, it’s also Sardinia’s economic and industrial hub, having one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean Sea.

D. H. Lawrence, in his memoir of a voyage to Sardinia, Sea and Sardinia, that he undertook in January 1921, described the effect of warm Mediterranean sunlight on the white limestone city and compared Cagliari to a “white Jerusalem”. [—]

Harbour views.

Cagliari city hall, Bacaredda Palace.

Street busker.

Climbing up to the Castello neighbourhood.

This faded fascist slogan at the back of a building near Piazza Indipendenza and Via Pietro Martini, used to read:

The Italian people have created with their blood the Empire. They will make it fruitful with their work and they will defend it against anyone with their weapons.

Sunset over the docks of Cagliari .

Sunset from Via Santa Croce.

Cagliari Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to Saint Cecilia.

Built in the 13th century in Pisan-Romanesque style, obtaining cathedral status in 1258, it is the seat of the archbishop of Cagliari.

‘Blonde Beer Well 16,’ is produced in Sardinia in the ancient premises of the Montevecchio mine.

Brewed locally in Sardinia, the Birra Ichnusa brewery opened in 1912 in Cagliari before relocating a short distance away inAssemini.

It’s a lovely beer, although it was was swallowed up by the all -conquering Heineken group in 1986.

Completed in 1307, and featuring walls made of thick limestone blocks, the Elephant Tower was built to protect the south-western side of Castello and stands over thirty meters high.