The Jewish Ghetto: the Sardinia house of dragons

It is the improper name used to describe a building that stands on the Bastione di Santa Croce, just above Castello district. And it is an opportunity to delve into one of the oldest and most representative zones of Cagliari. These are the reasons to take a visit to what is commonly called the Jewish Ghetto.

The history

The building, built in 1738, was originally a barrack, named after Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia, and designed to accommodate the “Dragons of Sardinia”. In 1863, that perhaps is his moment of greatest activity, the barracks contained 300 men, 40 horses, warehouses, stables, accommodation. Mitted the military function at the end of the 19^th century, today is one of the most beautiful historic buildings of Cagliari, where you can still breathe the atmosphere of the centuries in which it was used as a barracks.

L’origine del nome

The name Jewish Ghetto given to this barracks comes from an attribution error. Indeed, near the barracks stood the area where a Jews community used to live, between Via Santa Croce and via Stretta. In fact, the presence of Jews in Cagliari is attested since 1492.

Visiting the Jewish Ghetto

The so-called Jewish Ghetto of Cagliari can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The cost of the ticket is € 3 standard and 2 € reduced. For more information, visit the site Comune.cagliari.it.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/27605119@N00