Cagliari

Capital and port of Sardinia, Italy, on the south coast of the island on the Gulf of Cagliari; population (1992) 180,300. Industries include oil-refining and the manufacture of petrochemicals.

The city occupies the base and slopes of a hill, and has salt lagoons on either side. The harbour, Sardinia's most important, forms one focus for the city's economy; the other is Cagliari's role as the administrative, business, and distribution centre of the island.

Features Cagliari has a cathedral, completed in 1312, and later modernized; a university, founded in 1626; a botanical garden; and an archaeological museum. There are remains of medieval fortifications and Roman remains, including a Punico-Roman necropolis. The annual Sant'Efisio festival in May is the city's main cultural event.

History By origin probably a Phoenician city, Cagliari became prosperous under Carthage and Rome. It was taken successively by the Vandals in 485, the Byzantines in 533, the Saracens in the 12th century, Pisa, Aragon (1326–1714), and Austria, and eventually went to the House of Savoy.

Cagliari

Province of Italy in southern Sardinia; capital Cagliari; area 6,895 sq km/2,662 sq mi; population (2000 est) 766,000.