Bastion Saint Remy

This grand staircase, topped by a triumphal arch, is one of Cagliari’s most iconic and striking landmarks. It’s called the Bastion of Saint Remy, named after the Baron of San Remy, who served twice as Piedmontese Viceroy of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Three very different centuries come together here. Construction began at the end of the 19th century on top of the city’s original 14th century walls, reusing older bastions built by the Spanish in the late 16th century.

The covered gallery and the terrace were designed by Giuseppe Costa and Fulgenzio Setti. Together, they create a splendid neoclassical ensemble with white and yellow limestone Corinthian columns. Before reaching the terrace, the double staircase opens onto a covered promenade, that was inaugurated in 1902. This site was first used as a banquet hall, then served as an infirmary during World War I, and later became a shelter for those who had lost their homes during World War II. The bastion suffered serious damage during the war, but it was rebuilt afterwards.

Today, the site has been beautifully restored and repurposed as a cultural space. You might even come across an art exhibition or a cultural event. If you’re up for it, come back in the evening. When the bastion is lit up, it becomes one of the city’s favourite gathering spots, right at the edge of the Castello and Villanova districts.