Santa Croce, Baroque basilica in Castello district, Cagliari, Italy.
Santa Croce is a baroque basilica set on a hilltop in the Castello district, distinguished by a square bell tower and decorative obelisks across its segmented facade. Its interior is divided into multiple chapels arranged around the central main altar.
The building was originally erected as a synagogue and converted into a Catholic church after the expulsion of Jews from Spanish territories in 1492. This transformation reflects the political and religious shifts that reshaped the Mediterranean region during that period.
The interior displays baroque architectural features with vaulted ceilings and chapels arranged to create a sense of spaciousness. Regular worship by the local community shapes the neighborhood's rhythm and reinforces this place's role as both a religious and social focal point.
The building sits in the old town on elevated ground, so visitors can walk up via stairs or paved pathways to reach it. The Piazzetta Santa Croce in front of the main entrance is a quiet plaza that offers a view over the city.
The adjacent building, formerly a Jesuit college, now houses the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Cagliari. This use links the religious and academic history of the place in an unexpected way.
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