The current area of the Cittadella dei Musei was built in the Spanish period starting in 1552 by Rocco Capellino from Cremona.
In the Savoy period the area underwent defensive improvements, such as the construction around 1727 of the Porta dei Cappuccini and its casemate and the Porta del Regio Arsenale in 1825. The area as early as 1727 was named “Royal Arsenal”: there was a large foundry and military armaments were built there. From this time the area was used as barracks and stables until 1870, when it was turned into a military district. It retained this use until the 1920s to then become Military Barracks named after Quartese hero Eligio Porcu, who died in World War I. In February 1943, during World War II, it was severely bombed and destroyed, and then later abandoned. From 1965 to 1979, the current structure, designed by architects Cecchini and Gazzola, was built. The project initially aimed to expand the locations of the Archaeological Museum and the Art Gallery, and create a multipurpose study center “of Sardinian arts and history.” The work brought to light the pre-existing wall structures, which were happily incorporated into the new museum spaces.
Currently inside, the Archaeological Museum, Art Gallery, Cardu Museum, Susini Anatomical Wax Museum, the University Collections and the Ethnographic Museum can be visited.
