Anfiteatro Romano

Cagliari


Cagliari’s most significant Roman monument is this 2nd-century amphitheatre. Currently resembling a messy construction site (it's closed for restoration), the structure is carved into the rocky flank of the Buon Cammino hill, near the northern entrance to Il Castello. Over the centuries much of the original theatre has been cannibalised for building material, but enough survives to stir the imagination.

In its heyday, crowds of up to 10,000 people – practically the entire population of Cagliari – would gather in the steeply stacked stands to watch gladiators battle each other and the occasional wild animal.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cagliari attractions

1. Galleria Comunale d'Arte

0.2 MILES

Housed in a neoclassical villa in the Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens) north of the Castello, this terrific gallery focuses on modern and contemporary…

2. Museo Archeologico Nazionale

0.21 MILES

Of the four museums at the Cittadella dei Musei, this is the undoubted star. Sardinia’s premier archaeological museum showcases artefacts spanning…

3. Pinacoteca Nazionale

0.22 MILES

Cagliari's principal gallery showcases a prized collection of 15th- to 17th-century art. Many of the best works are retablos (grand altarpieces), painted…

4. Cittadella dei Musei

0.22 MILES

Cagliari's main museum complex occupies the site of the city's former arsenal at the northern end of the Castello district. It's home to several museums,…

5. Museo d'Arte Siamese

0.23 MILES

Cagliari’s medieval heart is an unlikely place for a collection of Asian art, but that’s exactly what you'll find here. Donated to the city by local…

6. Torre di San Pancrazio

0.26 MILES

Rising above the skyline by the Castello's northeastern gate, this 36m-high tower is the twin of the Torre dell’Elefante. Completed in 1305, it is built…

7. Orto Botanico

0.26 MILES

Established in 1858, the Orto Botanico is one of Italy’s most famous botanical gardens. Today it extends over 5 hectares and nurtures 2000 species of…