A brief history

Cagliari - The hill of Buoncammino seen from the roof of the church.

The Capuchins reached Cagliari in 1591were given permission to build their convent on the hill of Buoncammino which at that time was isolated from the town. The church, like many others of the Order, was dedicated to St. Antony of Padua. The architecture, which is simple in structure and humble in both size and style, reflects the Capuchin model officially laid down by the first Constitutions of the Order. Before building the small shrine (1950), the church had only the right side chapels; on the left side the wall was smooth with no access to the other rooms. The interior was and still is simple and basic, following the spirituality and tradition of the Capuchins. Works of art having an artistic value are rare: there is just the altar-piece wich dates back to the XVIIth or XVIIIth century and some marble frontal of the XVIIIth century. The real treasures of the church are the three «saints» buried here: St. Ignazio da Laconi, whose sanctity was recognized by the Church in 1951; Br Nicolò da S.Vero Milis, who was a model and a reference for St Ignazio; and Br Nicola da Gesturi, whose memory is kept alive by the people who knew him. They were huge and unforgettable protagonists in the history of the town; now so many people invoke them as intercessors. The old convent, built together with the church, does not belong to the friars any more. It was taken away by the oppressive laws in 1866 and now it is a house for retired people. Only at the end of last century were the friars able to buy a piece of land on the opposite side of the church where they built the present convent. The church front, which has been renovated many times, is of recent date. On the front square you can see a small bronze monument by Franco D'Aspro, dedicated to St. Ignazio da Laconi.

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For information contact
P. MARCO TARCISIO MASCIA

markus@mbox.vol.it