About Us

The aristocratic Palace De Candia situated in Cagliari 's medieval district "Castello", is an evocative and sophisticated backdrop for holding private parties, conferences, conventions, congress and business meetings.

On the ground floor the Mariò restaurant has a Wine Cellar with an “ancient Punic” Reservior.

For bookings please call on +39 070 653 564.
We are in Via Genovesi 12/16, Cagliari 09124, Italy.

The Castello District was a well defended and formidable fortress, founded by the Pisani in the XIII century. It is elevated at the centre of Cagliari surrounded by the other historic districts and at the foot of its walls are Bastions and Medieval Towers. As you wonder through its narrow streets it unveils tall buildings, unexpected views of the town gulf and towards far plains and mountains.

You will also find the main museums, cathedrals, many churches and important historical buildings.

The De Candia Palace (approximately 1850) is situated at the bottom of Via Genovesi, where until the XVI century there used to be the Pisani town-walls between the Elephant and the Lion Towers. The facade was designed in neoclassical style by the famous architect Gaetano Cima. On the Noble floor (1st F) there are wide halls with frescos and a large terrace with scenic views of the gulf of Cagliari.

De Candia Palace was purchased in 1846 from the very famous opera singer tenore Giovanni Matteo De Candia (known as Mariò). He was head haunted by the European Courts for his beautiful voice (J. Joyce on the Ulisse wrote: - “…. They used to say that Mario…..” ). During his trips he sent to his family who lived in the palace, many precious books, furniture and objects: you can still see today a portion of a papier peinte (tapestry) . He wrote to his mother:

- “The wall paper is joyful: satin background with flower and leaves patterns of an exquisite taste and for that there is the curtain similar to the tapestry”.

The palace belonged from 1898 to the Muntoni family and in the 1950s hosted a religious institute. In 1967 it was bought by Benedetta Imeroni Inserra as a home for her family. During “Sa Ratantina” she used to open the halls of De Candia Palace to the carnival parade.