loping gradually towards the sea, is probably the
nucleus of the Roman _municipium_, while the quarter of Stampace lies to
the west, and beyond it again the suburb of Sant' Avendrace. The northern
portion of this, below the castle hill, is the older, while the part near
the shore consists mainly of modern buildings of no great interest. To the
east of the castle hill and the Marina is the quarter of Villanova, which
contains the church of S. Saturnino, a domed church of the 8th century with
a choir of the Pisan period. The harbour of Cagliari (along the north side
of which runs a promenade called the Via Romo) is a good one, and has a
considerable trade, exporting chiefly lead, zinc and other minerals and
salt, the total annual value of exports amounting to nearly 11/2 million
sterling in value. The Campidano of Cagliari, the plain which begins at the
north end of the lagoon of S. Gilla, is very fertile and much cultivated,
as is also the district to the east round Quarto S. Elena, a village with
8459 inhabitants (1901). The national costumes are rarely now seen in the
neighbourhood of Cagliari, except at certain festivals, especially that of
S. Efisio (May 1-4) at Pula (see NORA). The methods of cultivation are
primitive: the curious water-wheels, made of brushwood with pots tied on to
them, and turned by a blindfolded donkey, may be noted. The ox-carts are
often made with solid wheels, for greater strength. Prickly pear
(_opuntia_) hedges are as frequent as in Sicily. Cagliari is considerably
exposed to winds in winter, while in summer it is almost African in
climate. The aqueduct was constructed in quite recent times, rain-water
having previously given the only supply. The main line of railway runs
north to Decimomannu (for Iglesias), Oristano, Macomer and Chilivani (for
Golfo degli Aranci and Sassari); while another line (narrow-gauge) runs to
Mandas (for Sorgono and Tortoli). There is also a tramway to Quarto S.
Elena.

In A.D. 485 the whole of Sardinia was taken by the Vandals from Africa; but
in 533 it was retaken by Justinian. In 687 Cagliari rose against the East
Roman emperors, under Gialetus, one of the citizens, who made himself king
of the whole island, his three brothers becoming governors of Torres (in
the N.W.), Arborea (in the S.W.) and Gallura (in the N.E. of the island).
The Saracens devastated it in the 8th century, but were driven out, and the
island returned to the rule of kings, until they fell in t