- UNESCO
Photo: Giova81, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site
Santa Igia
Archaeological site in Cagliari, Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 39°13′12″ N, 9°06′11″ E
History and description
Santa Igia or Santa Ilia, modern Santa Gilla lagoon (Santa Ilia being a contraction of Santa Cecilia), was a city in Sardinia, in what is now Italy, which existed from the 9th century AD to 1258, when it was destroyed by Pisan and Sardinian troops. It was the capital of the Giudicato of Cagliari, one of the kingdoms in which the island was divided in medieval times.
Parts of its remains are now found in the western part of Cagliari, as well as in the island of Sa Illetta.
History
The area of Santa Igia was inhabited by the Phoenicians and the Romans. The latter, in particular, built a port (Portus Scipio) on the shores of the Stagno di Santa Gilla.
In 718 Arab pirates launched their first raids against the city of Caralis, destroying sectors of the city and enslaving some inhabitants. Thus some of the inhabitants of Caralis moved to the area facing the lagoon of Santa Gilla, founding the city of Santa Igia, whose port had been used also by the Byzantines. Starting from the 9th century AD, it became the seat of the giudice, the archbishop and the administration of the giudicato of Cagliari. At its peak it reached about 10.000-15.000 inhabitants. The area was walled and connected to the Castle of San Michele.
In 1258, during the process of conquest of the Giudicato of Cagliari, the Pisans and their Sardinian allies destroyed it.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Santa Igia».
Photos
Getting there
CagliariTrain, nearest
600 m as the crow flies
Santa Igia
Aeroporto di Cagliari-Elmas5.3 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Sardinia
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Santa Igia?
Santa Igia is in Cagliari, in the province of Cagliari (Sardinia), Italy. GPS coordinates: 39.21990, 9.10318.
What else is there to see near Santa Igia?
Nearby you’ll find: Mem - Mediterranean Media Library (200 m away), Palazzo Fadda-Tonini (200 m away), Palazzo Scano (300 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 2 photos
- San Pietro dei Pescatori, chiesa di Cagliari — Giova81, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Età punico-romana, terrecotte votive dalla laguna di santa gilla, forse da naufragi di spedizioni commerciali, 07 — Sailko, CC BY 3.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences