Esterzili
The Province of Cagliari: a Territory in Sardinia
The province of Cagliari was the heart of the Sardinian region from 1859 until 2016, when it was replaced by the metropolitan city of Cagliari and the newly created Province of South Sardinia. Located to the south and east of the Mediterranean Sea, the province bordered the provinces of Nuoro, Ogliastra and Oristano to the north, Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano to the west. The regional council decreed the transfer of property and personnel from the province to the new entities of the Province of South Sardinia and the Metropolitan City, completely abolishing the historic province.
Physical Geography
The province of Cagliari included the "Lake of Mulargia" and the "Lagoon of Cagliari." The provincial territory was also characterized by mountains such as the Sette Fratelli massif, Mount Serpeddì and Mount Genis. The province was also bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea and had interesting lagoons such as the Lagoon of Santa Gilla and the Lagoon of Molentargius.
Transport and Connections
The province of Cagliari had a vast and efficient network of roads, railways, and a port essential for connecting with other Italian cities. The state roads that crossed the province of Cagliari were six, including the famous State Road 131 Carlo Felice that connected Cagliari to Porto Torres. The main railway was the Cagliari-Golfo Aranci Marittima Railway, but there were also the Decimomannu-Iglesias Railway and the Cagliari-Isili Railway. Cagliari also had an airport of primary importance, the Cagliari-Elmas Airport, and was served by a port well connected with other Italian cities including Civitavecchia, Palermo, Naples, and Genoa.
History
The territory was inhabited starting from prehistoric and Nuragic age. The province of Cagliari has numerous testimonies of ancient past, including the famous archaeological site of Barumini. The province saw significant development during the domination of the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Sardinian Judicates. In the 19th century, the arrival of the Savoy family in the region led to the creation of the province of Cagliari in 1859, an entity that would be active for over 150 years.
Symbols
The symbol of the province of Cagliari is a coat of arms adopted by decree on March 17, 1938. The emblem was characterized by a shield divided into two parts. In the first part, the red cross is flanked by four moor heads bound, in the center of which is an oval disk surmounted by a crowned golden eagle with outspread wings. In the second part, the shield is composed of a tower quartered with the image of the three highest towers emerging from the rough sea.
The province of Cagliari was the pulsating heart of the Sardinian region, a territory rich in history, but also dynamic and efficient. With its connections of roads, railways, airport, and port, the province was an important bridge for staying connected with the rest of Italy. Despite the end of the province of Cagliari in October 2016, the places of interest it encloses will continue to amaze and inspire tourists and visitors.
