The Library was established in 1764 under the “Constitutions” to reform the University of Cagliari. It was opened to the public in 1792 in the Sala Settecentesca, on the first floor of the new University building.
The initial collection consisted of books taken from the sovereign’s private library, gifts from important figures such as the minister Bogino and from resources acquired by the suppression of the Jesuits, including the private library of the jurist from Cagliari, Monserrato Rossellò. Even publications from the crown’s printers and works printed in Turin by the Royal Printers passed through here. Over the decades, it acquired an increasing number of volumes thanks to the contribution from a series of illustrious experts entrusted with managing the library. These included Domenico Alberto Azuni, Ludovico Baylle, Giovanni Spano and Pietro Martini.
The library has over 700,000 bibliographic works. More than six thousand manuscripts and original copies are kept there, 238 incunabules, more than five thousand newspapers and magazines, editions from the XVI century and 6,500 drawings, prints, geographical maps and postcards. It contains the largest and most complete collection of Sardinian bibliographic works and material about Sardinia. There are also 15,000 digital support documents. The manuscripts include the very important three Condaghe by S. Maria di Bonarcado, S. Nicola di Trullas and S. Pietro di Sorres and a Dante code of the Divine Comedy from the XIV century.
The oldest and most precious part of the rare heritage is kept in the Chapel of the former tridentine seminary, on the ground floor. The building has numerous tempera pictorial decorations adorning the ceiling. The chapel also houses the press office, established in 1946 to bring together etchings of Sardinian artists and named after Anna Marongiu Pernis. Temporary exhibitions and guided tours are regularly organised in this space.
