Editing Cagliari (section)

===11th to 13th century===
[[File:TorreElefanteCagliari-pjt2.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Torre dell'Elefante]] (1307)]]
During the 11th century, the [[Republic of Pisa]] began to extend its political influence over the Judgedom of Cagliari. Pisa and the maritime [[republic of Genoa]] had a keen interest in Sardinia because it was a perfect strategic base for controlling the commercial routes between Italy and North Africa.

In 1215 the Pisan [[Lamberto Visconti]], husband of [[Elena of Gallura]], forced the judikessa [[Benedetta of Cagliari]] to give him the mount located east of [[Santa Igia]].{{sfn|Casula|1994|p=209-210}} Soon (1216–17) Pisan merchants established there a new fortified city, known as ''Castel di Castro'', which can be considered the ancestor of the modern city of Cagliari.{{sfn|Casula|1994|p=209-210}}

In 1258, after the defeat of [[William III of Cagliari|William III]], the last king of Cagliari, the Pisans and their Sardinian allies ([[Giudicato of Arborea|Arborea]], [[Giudicato of Gallura|Gallura]] and [[Giudicato of Logudoro|Logudoro]]) destroyed the old capital of Santa Igia.{{sfn|Casula|1994|p=209-210}} The Judgedom of Cagliari was then divided into three parts: the northeast third went to Gallura; the central portion was incorporated into Arborea; [[Sulcis]] and [[Iglesiente]], on the southwest, were given to the Pisan [[della Gherardesca]] family, while the Republic of Pisa maintained control over its colony of Castel di Castro.{{sfn|Casula|1994|p=210-212}}

Some of the fortifications that still surround the current district of Castello were built by the Pisans, including the two remaining white limestone towers (early 14th century) designed by the architect [[Giovanni Capula]]. Together with the district of Castello, Castel di Castro comprised the districts of [[Marina]] (which included the port), and later {{Interlanguage link|Stampace|it}} and Villanova. Marina and Stampace were guarded by walls, in contrast to Villanova, which was mostly home to peasants.