The history of the Passeggiata Coperta and the Galleria dello Sperone is closely linked to the Bastione di Saint Remy.
Before the Stronghold was built, Piazza Costituzione was occupied by a series of military defence buildings constructed by Rocco Capellino. They were the Bastione di Santa Caterina, the Bastione della Zecca and the Bastione dello Sperone.
Following the unification of the Kingdom of Italy and the emerging of new city layout criteria, the city underwent a full architectural overhaul. The desire to give the city a more metropolitan appearance in line with new architectural standards led to the dismantling of the ancient ramparts in 1867. Some structures, like the Cannoniera or the Water collection cistern, survived.
Between 1896 and 1902, the Bastione di Saint Remy was built on top of these buildings. La Passeggiata was created in the right wing of the Stronghold.
With its incredible Liberty-style setting, la Passeggiata initially housed a banquet hall, then becoming the city’s chic meeting place thanks in part to the magnificent view from its vast windows over Viale Regina Margherita.
During the twentieth century, the structure changed purpose on a number of occasions.
It initially housed an infirmary during the First World War, then the Fiera dell’Autarchia in 1936. The air strikes which hit Cagliari in 1943 severely damaged the structure which later became a shelter for the homeless in the after-war period.
In recent years, the Passeggiata has been the subject of significant restoration work and now houses temporary exhibitions and the Ugo Ugo permanent collection.
The Galleria dello Sperone, accessible through the Passeggiata, is made up of the ancient Spanish defence structures which survived demolition at the end of the nineteenth century. The Galleria dello Sperone is an archaeological itinerary winding its way through the Castello hillside and it too is home to museum exhibitions and tours.
