CAGLIARI, or CALARI, the capital of Sardinia, stands upon a commanding eminence, at the bottom of a ca pacious bay on the southern side of the island. The town rises from the sea, and, with its vicinity, has a very handsome appearance from the bay. It is defended by a castle and regular fortifications, and is divided into the upper town, which is improperly termed " The Castle," and the lower town, or suburbs. The former is walled round, and contains some tolerable buildings ; but the latter, which lies upon the shore, is irregular and dirty, and chiefly inhabited by the poorer classes. Cagliari was the residence of a viceroy, the see of an archbishop, the place of assembly for the cortes or states general, and the seat of an university, founded in 1606. It contains a superb cathedral, five churches, and twenty convents ; and had a royal audience, and several other tribunals.
This town possesses an excellent harbour, and is most conveniently situated for an extensive commerce. The want of proper encouragement, however, and bur densome restrictions, prevent the inhabitants from pro fiting by these advantages. They have little trade, and seem to be completely absorbed in indolence. The har
bour is screened by a small island called Pietra Laida, and in the bay a numerous fleet may anchor in safety, in from three to fifteen fathoms of water. A small mole, capable of containing four galleys, lies opposite the low town. It is shut in towards the south by a wall rising about three feet above the sea, which serves as a ram part, and has a battery of eleven pieces of cannon.
Cagliari is supposed to have been first founded by the Carthaginians, and called Caralis. Upon the appear ance of a British fleet under Sir John Leak in 1708, the inhabitants, fearing the destruction of their town, com pelled the governor to surrender, after a few shots, when it was transferred to the Emperor Charles VI. It was, however, retaken by the Spaniards in 1717, and about two years after ceded to the house of Savoy. Population 30,000. N. Lat. 39° 25', E. Long. 9° 16'. See Pcuchct Dictionnaire, &c.; Azumi Histoire Geogra phique, Politiquc, et Aliturelle de la Sardaigne, 1801; and Della citta Cagliari, della citta Sassari .Voti:ie corn pcndiose nacre e profane, 1780. (1.)