Castle of San Michele - Cagliari (Italy)

The Castle of San Michele is a 12th-century medieval fortress built in white limestone, located on the hill surrounded by the park of the same name, in Cagliari. It currently hosts art exhibitions, shows, conferences and other cultural events.

The first settlement, presumably a single tower, dates back to the Byzantine period, and acquired its current appearance at the time of the Sardinian Courts (the Giudicati), between the 10th and 12th centuries, to defend Santa Igia, capital of the Court of Cáller. , from Saracen attacks.

In 1350, shortly after the Aragonese conquest of Cáller, its defensive function faded into the background and it became the feudal residence of the Carroz family, with Berengario Carroz taking care of the castle. It became one of the most luxurious residences in Sardinia. The last of the Carroz to live in the castle was Countess Violante, who died in 1511. Shortly after, it passed to the Hispanic monarchy.

In a certain state of abandonment, it was used in 1652 as a military hospital and lazaretto, during the plague of San Efisio. Between the 17th and 18th centuries it recovered its defensive function against French attacks. In 1867 it was sold to the Marquis Roberti di San Tommaso, who ordered the architect Dionigi Scano to renovate the castle and reforest the hill with Aleppo pines.

At the beginning of the 20th century it was owned by the Navy and in the 1960s it definitively became municipal property. In 1966 archaeological excavations were carried out in the foundations of the castle by Renato Salinas. The remains of a late medieval church and a marble frieze from the Basilica of San Saturno in Cagliari were found. In 1990 work began on a controversial restoration of the castle and the hill.

Today the castle retains the three towers of the four original ones and the walls, surrounded by the moat. However, it has undergone a profound remodeling with steel and polycarbonate structures to reinforce the internal part of the building and allow its cultural use.