Cagliari cathedral, Sardinia: a visitor guide

Visit Cagliari cathedral

The cathedral in Cagliari - complete name Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Cecilia - is a cathedral in the heart of the old town of Cagliari, in south Sardinia, and the most important historic monument in the town.

The cathedral is in the upper part of Cagliari, so there is quite a lot of uphill walking involved if you are staying in the lower part of the town. There is a lift that can save you a part of the climb, and you will want to also enjoy the historic centre and the views from the upper town, so a visit is indispensable despite the effort involved!

Discover Cagliari cathedral

Italy This Way review: the cathedral in Cagliari is impressive both inside and outside, with numerous features of interest, and a visit is recommended as you explore the town.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common style for building religious monuments in western Europe was the romanesque style. In western Italy, a local style called Pisan-Romanesque architecture was developed, as seen primarily in the monuments in Pisa, and this was the style used for the original cathedral here in Cagliari.

Pisa was an independent state during the medieval period, and controlled a large area of what is now western Italy and Sardinia.

The church was completed in the early 13th century and granted cathedral status in 1258, when Cagliari became the most important city in southern Sardinia after the Pisans had destroyed a town called Santa Igia.

The cathedral structure was substantially modified over the following centuries, including a major renovation of the interior in the baroque style during the 17th and 18th centuries.

At first glance the facade of the cathedral still appears to retain its romanesque origins. This is a deception because the entire facade of the cathedral was rebuilt in the 1930s, although the current facade retains the style of the original cathedral - it was also based on the cathedral in Pisa - so is actually a recent addition, although few casual observers would notice!

The original cathedral was a much simpler construction, with a nave with a wooden ceiling, and two side aisles. The transept, and hence the two side entrances, was added to the cathedral in the 14th century. It was also at this time that a window was added to the facade and the first chapel was built inside the cathedral: these were both in the gothic style, that had by this time replaced romanesque architecture for church building.

The next major changes took place in the 17th century, first with the addition of a raised chancel surrounded by four lions, and later by a major renovation of the interior in the now current baroque style, which included a dome ceiling over the center of the transept.

There are several important artworks inside the cathedral, most from the baroque period. These included the 12th century pulpits, the four marble lions, the mausoleum of Martin I of Sicily, and the 15th century tryptych of Clement VII.

You will also see the decorated ceiling around the dome, with frescoes and impressive carved marble, a large fresco above the nave, baroque style chapels and other less important artworks.

Lastly, but not to be missed, in a beautiful crypt you can see the Sanctuary of the Martyrs which contains 179 niches that hold the relics of martyrs that were discovered in the 17th century during excavations, and several baroque chapels.