MUTSEU

The archaeological area of Saint Eulalia expanded for about 900m² under the church of the same name in the mediaeval area of Marina: structures related to the changes from the IV B.C to the XIX century A.D are visible. In the Late Punic age (IV-III B.C.) the area of Saint Eulalia was situated on the outskirts of Krly, the Punic name of Cagliari. In a certain area a sanctuary appeared which was used until the end of the Roman Empire (I B.C.).

Around the IV-V century A.D the area became residential as part of an urban reorganisation, and was served by a large paved road and following that a colonnade. The city, now called Karales, had its cornerstone in what is now Piazza del Carmine and so the Saint Eulalia area belonged to the Eastern district. In around the VII century the start of an urban change was established which then brought the abandonment of the most peripheral sectors due to instability caused by a maritime invasion; furthermore the urban fabric became rarer with unbuilt areas between the buildings. lt was in this way that this area slowly became abandoned and over the centuries was covered with earth. Arriving in Cagliari in 1326, the Catalan-Aragonese created a well-organised inhabitable neighbourhood in this area in which they built a church with just one room.

This was dedicated to the patron of Barcelona, Saint Eulalia. In the XVI century the building was extended, getting 3 aisles and it was renewed in the following century when the well of a Late Antiquity dwelling was discovered. Between the XVII and XVIII centuries, under the flat pavement, the first central crypt was built and shortly after another 5 laterally. The discovery of this portion of Late Antiquity dwelling came about in 1990, following works in the sacristy when the well built in the XVII century was identified. It was this which started the excavations that went on for about 20 years.