Monserrato
Monserrato: a Sardinian commune with a millennial history
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Monserrato, a commune of almost 19,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Cagliari, in Sardinia. Monserrato is one of the communes that are part of the Cagliari conurbation, along with Cagliari, Pirri, Selargius, Quartucciu, and Quartu Sant'Elena.
Physical geography
Located in the Campidano plain, Monserrato is surrounded by salt pans and the Molentargius pond, a protected natural area that hosts numerous species of birds, including pink flamingos. This location makes it an ideal place for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
Origin of the name
The original name of Monserrato in Sardinian is Pauli or Paulli, which means "swamp". During the Middle Ages, the village was known as "Paùly" and later "Paùli Pirri". In 1881 it became "Paùli Monserrato" and, in 1888, thanks to a royal decree and the will of the City Council, it took the name of "Monserrato". This name is related to the Madonna of Monastery of Montserrat, near Barcelona.
History
The history of Monserrato has very ancient roots: the first inhabited nucleus dates back to the Nuragic period, when the area was already inhabited by the ancient Sardinians. In the Middle Ages, Monserrato was part of the Giudicato di Cagliari and, after its dismantlement, it was administered by the Pisans until 1324, when it passed under the control of the Aragonese. Later, the village suffered the consequences of the plague of 1348 and was occupied by the Giudicato of Arborea until 1410, when it returned under the control of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In 1426, Monserrato was granted to Dalmazio Sanjust, who promoted a sanitation work and favored the development of agriculture, especially viticulture. After the abolition of feudalism, Monserrato became part of the province of Cagliari as an autonomous commune. In 1928, it was merged into the commune of Cagliari, but regained its autonomy in 1991 thanks to a referendum and a regional law.
Monuments and places of interest
Monserrato is rich in monuments and places of interest to visit. Among the most important religious architectures are the Church of Sant'Ambrogio, dedicated to the patron saint of the village, and the rural Church of San Lorenzo. The Church of Sant'Ambrogio is a building in Spanish Gothic style dating back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It underwent a major restoration in 1983 that allowed to bring back to light its original architectural appearance. The interior is divided into three naves and is definitely worth a visit.
The rural Church of San Lorenzo has a rectangular plan and a single nave. It is a very suggestive building, and if you find yourself in Monserrato, I recommend you to visit it.
Conclusions
Here is a little taste of what you can find in Monserrato. The city is full of history and natural and architectural beauties to discover. If you like Sardinia and are looking for a quiet and pleasant place to spend your holidays, I recommend you to visit Monserrato. Have a nice trip!
