The term “stronghold” identifies a defensive system organized to resist to the bitter end, even when surrounded or overtaken by the enemy.
The strongholds in the Molentargius Saline Park took advantage of the obstacles present (salt pans, canals) and were part of Cagliari’s “Front to Land,” a defensive line desired by the Royal Army and consisting of at least 85 concrete emplacements, mostly built in 1943 with standardized types: casemate or barbette emplacement for automatic weapons and barbette emplacement for cannon, with shelters.
The course of the defenses was: mouth of Rio Fangario, Elmas Avenue, Capitzudu Quarry, “Carlo Felice,” Pernis House, S. Michele Hill, Pirri, Archimede Street, Marconi Avenue level crossing, Molentargius, Monte Sant’Elia. Twenty strongholds were planned, not all of which were completed. By the summer of 1943, two reinforced Machine Gun Companies and 12 100-mm guns were deployed there, with counter-tank duty. Support from the other units present in Cagliari (a Garrison Company, a Mortar Company, artillery batteries, etc.) was planned. In July 1943 the “Maritime Military Sector” was disbanded and was succeeded by the “Port Cagliari Defense Command,” dependent on the 203rd Coastal Division. Among the Molentargius posts, the Caposaldo “Augusta” (code name, found in a period map) guards the intersection of Canale Mortu, Canale Palma and Canale vecchio di Pala Montis. It retains its three “single-weapon” emplacements, for machine gun or submachine gun. Compared to the Weapons Inspectorate of Engineers standards, two artifacts have slightly different installations, such as an interesting well entrance and covered walkway up to the shelter, or a valuable tenement masking, with a tank and drinking fountain, now ruined. The remaining post, of standard type, is on the side of the road and cannot be visited.
