Santa Igia

Santa Igia is an archaeological site in Cagliari with remains of buildings and objects from the medieval period spread across several excavation areas near the Santa Gilla lagoon. The digs reveal foundations of homes, workshops, and other structures that help recreate what this former settlement looked like and how people used the space.

The settlement served as the capital of the Giudicato di Cagliari from the 9th century until Pisan forces destroyed it in 1258. This attack ended centuries of urban life at this location and marked the close of its role as a regional center of power.

The objects found here tell stories of daily life and trade connections: pottery, coins, and tools reveal how craftspeople worked and how the city linked to other Mediterranean places. These finds, scattered across the dig areas, show what mattered most to the people who lived here.

Visiting requires advance permission and is usually arranged through guided tours organized by the Department of Archaeological Heritage in Cagliari. It is worth checking ahead of time, as not all areas are always open to visitors and conditions may change depending on ongoing research activities.

The site contained an elaborate water management system that used the nearby lagoon for both defense and protecting trading vessels. This engineering solution was crucial to how the city survived economically for centuries.