This venerable city, with its roots reaching into the tapestry of time to the 8th century BC, was chosen by the Phoenicians for their colony. Nestled within a bay and a fertile plain, they christened it Caralis, a homage to Baal—the deity of fertility, water, war, sky, and sun. Rapidly ascending as a pivotal trade hub, it evolved into a coveted piece of earthly realm. Over time, a myriad of conquerors left their indelible mark, shaping the city and its environs to suit their whims. Fortresses soared, walls expanded, and the urban layout underwent metamorphosis. Romans, in the 1st century BC, gifted the city with an aqueduct, yet the inaugural tram only traversed its streets in the recent annals of 2008—a testament to the city’s rich history and ever-evolving character. The American forces marked the culmination of a storied past during World War II, strategically utilizing its location for military surveillance over the continent, neighboring Sicily, and North Africa. Truly, different epochs, different tales. Cagliari unfolds as a living chronicle, a narrative woven with diverse cultures and eras, epitomized in its architectural tableau.
Perched upon the slopes of a gentle mountain, the Castle (Castello) crowns Cagliari’s skyline. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria) stands resolute, an unmistakable landmark. San Pancrazio and dell’Elefante towers (Torre di San Pancrazio and Torre dell’Elefante), once defensive bastions in the Middle Ages, now command admiration as vantage points. The Basilica of San Saturnino (Basilica di San Saturnino), a relic from the 5th century, continues to captivate with its architectural marvel. The Marina, the old town, entices with narrow streets, vibrant houses, quaint churches, and a profusion of restaurants—an immersive plunge into the medieval allure of a Mediterranean city.
My pursuit to capture every landmark unfailingly results in a temporary parting of ways with my companions, an ephemeral separation remedied by reunion. As dusk descends, I abandon the quest to keep pace, yielding to the allure of a restaurant that Bruno, with his discerning instincts, deems the “right” choice. Over dinner, the captain unfurls plans for the morrow, divulges weather updates, assigns crew duties, and more. Cagliari, a city of allure, bids farewell at dawn as we embark on circumnavigating the isle of Sardinia from its southern edge, tracing the arc westward.
The photograph of the nocturnal pier clinched victory in a contest hosted on the GuruShots website.
A cascade of additional images immortalizes the memories of Marina Del Sole.
The saga of the ship “Gennaro Cantiello” unfolds like an epic. Launched in 1977, she was promptly consigned to the police for specialized voyages between Porto Torres and the high-security prison on the island of Asinara, northwest of Sicily. This robust 50-meter steel vessel bears the moniker of a police officer who perished during a prison uprising. Navigating with assurance, she transported cargo and passengers, predominantly prisoners. Among them, members of the Red Brigades and Camorra mafia bosses, both formidable entities in Italy. After successful uprisings, culminating in the famed “coffee pot uprising,” the prison shuttered in 1997. The island metamorphosed into a nature reserve, and the ship “Gennaro Cantiello” changed hands in an auction. She sailed the seas until grounding near Cagliari. Initial plans proposed her submersion, but public outcry stayed the hand. A symbol of optimism, she stands poised, awaiting her fate—a poignant chapter in the island’s and the nation’s history. The final decree on her destiny awaits, and in her steadfast stance, “Gennaro Cantiello” epitomizes the indomitable spirit of sailors: whatever may come, keep your head held high. Here’s to fair winds and a hopeful journey.
