Museum of the Treasure of Sant'Eulalia, Cagliari
Museum of the Treasure of Sant'Eulalia is located in an ancient port area within Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. It has been established at the church of St. Eulalia and occupies two floors as well as few underground ones with archeological pieces. During the restoration in 1990, an antique well with organic sediments was found in the vestry. Its examination triggered the archaeological excavations in the museum area. The excavation territory covered approximately 200 square meters. Roman 4 meters wide paved road of the 1st-3rd century that led to the seaport was sighted here as well. Archaeologists also discovered ruins of the late Roman era constructions with its colonnades and marble foundations. These travertine columns are the very firsthand witnesses to final years of the Roman Empire.
The exhibits of the Treasure Museum
Museum of the Treasure of Sant'Eulalia covers the history of parish and highlights ancient documents of the Confraternity of the Crucifixion, the Confraternity of Holy Trinity and the Confraternity of the Precious Blood from 17th-18th centuries. It features also an archive with parish records. All these exhibits are put on display all over the first floor. The second floor gathers:
- Church silverware of 16th-17th century, used during liturgy. Among the utensils the chalice stands out the most. Here you can also find lamps, crosses, goblets, monstrance, canopy, commissioned by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The pieces were made in Baroque style by the craftsmen from Liguria and Piedmont and by artists in Sardinian workshops.
- Fancy finely crafted wooden statues of 17th-18th century. Here you can find artifacts of anonymous Sardinian carvers and Neapolitan workshops.
- Rare religious habits – belongings of pontiffs and archbishops – are put in showcases. Beside others, another work that strikes the eye is clothing made by Genoese artisans, which consists of ten parts and is decorated with a coat of arms of noble Zapata family and an emblem of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Roman floral embroidered chasuble from the 18th century is a remarkable exhibit too.
- Paintings, among which the most prominent is “Madonna and Child” in Tuscan style, made in the 14th century.
- Some of the pieces found by archeologists, for instance, oil lamps, pottery, household items of the late Roman era.
The underground archaeological site can be accessed through the museum. There you can enjoy well-preserved ruins.
How to get there
Museum of the Treasure of Sant'Eulalia is situated in the heart of the historical area called Marina. Free sightseeing buses are circling around the city. You can get to the landmark by foot with the help of signposts; it will take a few minutes from the center of Marina.
