Cagliari (Seeing the sights)

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Sun 19 Oct 2008 00:00

Sunday 19th October – Cagliari (Seeing the sights)

39:12.064N 9:07.510E

 

It being Sunday, we thought it would be quite a challenge getting around on the buses and that we might find a lot of sights closed, but we needed some exercise, so off we went.  We were both surprised and pleased to find that the bus service was actually still quite good and we didn’t have to wait too long at the bus stops.

 

We took the bus into town then got a bus up the hill to the Roman amphitheatre, quite a major feature here, constructed in the 2nd century AD.  At the top of the hill there were some great views over the roof tops across the harbour, the flats behind and then the mountains in the distance.

 

When we arrived at the amphitheatre it was closed for lunch L ; we had a walk around the outside looking down through the railings. The amphitheatre is still used for open air concerts and theatre productions during the summer and a stage has been constructed in the former arena with seating arranged in front of it; there is also scaffolding around the arena to support the lighting of the stage.  That said, the ancient stone seating and entrances to the arena are still visible.  We decided to leave a closer inspection for another time rather than hang around for ages until it re-opened.

 

 

We then walked from the amphitheatre to the ancient walls at the top of the city separating the historic districts of Cagliari.  We entered the Castello district through the Porta Cristina, walked past the Cittadella dei Musei (National Archaeological Museum and National Gallery) and from there on down to the Cathedral. 

 

Just before the Cathedral there was a viewing platform with great views out across the other side of Cagliari.  In one direction we could see our marina and in the distance the other way we could see the open salt marshes we had driven by on the bus when we went to the beach the other day.  The wind was getting up a bit and out at sea we could see quite a lot of white horses in the bay.  At the edge of the platform we realised there was actually an elevator taking passengers up and down the side of the hill.  A little high and exposed for my taste.

 

We arrived at the cathedral and found the doors closed.  We went next door to the Cathedral museum café and found it would soon reopen.  So we sat and had a cappuccino on the café’s terrace enjoying the great (if breezy) view over the city, then wandered down to the square just above the Bastione San Remy where a few people seemed to be gathering for something.  We decided to return after visiting the cathedral.  As we walked up to the cathedral some people in medieval costume passed us going to the square.  Then we heard the sound of drumming and saw 3 drummers walking down the next street with a crowd of people following them. 

 

On the dot of 16.30 the doors to the cathedral opened and in we went.  If we had to describe the cathedral in one word, it would be Marble – it was everywhere and very nicely done too.

 

Following our visit, we returned to the square and now found a small crowd gathered around some men and women dressed in medieval costumes.  Some were carrying cross-bows, some were simulating sword fights, some were cracking whips, and some were colourfully dressed in what appeared to be jester type outfits, complete with Raybans of course.

 

There were a few more tourists like us, hovering around, but we were all clueless as to what was being celebrated – we will have to do some research.  We left them to it and walked down the magnificent steps through the Bastione San Remy.  We then walked back to the Via Roma and found a bus home to the marina.

 

Tonight we have had pasta for dinner aboard Pyxis.

 

Well apart from the roads, what did the Roman’s do for us?  … Decking, it appears!

 

 

 

 

Cagliari: View down across the harbour; Porta Cristina; Arch into Piazza Arsenale

 

Cagliari: Cittadella dei Musei; The external elevator; View across to the bay

 

Cagliari:  Cathedral and Bastione San Remy

Cagliari: Medievel players

 

Cagliari:  Bastione San Remy

 

© Pyxis 2008