The Hill of St. Michael (Colle di San Michele) in Cagliari's west-end, is one of the most panoramic points of the city. From it you can admire a spectacular view of the bay from one side and the Campidano plains from the other.
The name of the Castle comes from the small church of Archangel Michael that was probably built during the Byzantine period. The hill's favourable position was quite appropriate for the castle's strategic function. In XIII Century, during the Pisan domination, a fortress was constructed in order to control the city's main entrances.
The central part of the castle was originally built on a square plan and surrounded by the defensive walls containing access to the fortress.
The building maintained its defensive function until the following century when, during the Aragonese period, the powerful Spanish family Carroz took it over as their residence. After that, the castle was embellished and enlarged with the construction of the third tower, higher than the preceding ones, using stones coming from the demolition of the St. Saturnino basilica situated in S. Cosimo Square (Piazza di S. Cosimo).
Later, the castle was adopted for various functions. It was used as a quarantine station in 1652 during the epidemic plague that attacked the city. At the end of the XVIII Century, the building's original defensive function was restored in order to prevent, and together with the Sant'Ignazio fortress (on the Sant' Elia hill), the attacks of the French fleet. Afterwards, the castle was acquired by the Marquise Roberti di S. Tommaso who had some restoration done. Finally, in the last century, it has become a national monument.
Recently, Cagliari's administration carried out the works of consolidation and restoration. Its surroundings have been transformed into a green area. Today, the castle is a museum where various art exhibitions take place.
