Description of the attraction
Palazzo Boyle is one of the most important historical and artistic buildings in the old center of Cagliari. It was built in 1840 by the design of Carlo Pilo Boyle, Marquis of Putifigari, a military general and descendant of Filippo Pilo Boyle, who helped the Aragonese defeat the Pisans in the 14th century and seize the fortress in Cagliari. At the end of the 19th century, the Palazzo belonged to the Rossi family, from which there are only a few "R" letters carved into the windows. Today, Palazzo Boyle is owned by counts from the Marche Tomassini-Barbarossa area.
The palace is built in a neoclassical style, like the Porta del Reggio of the military Arsenal and Porta Cristina, two other creations by Carlo Pilo Boyle. The landmark of the Palazzo is a marble balustrade decorated with four statues - each symbolizing one of the seasons. The family coat of arms is carved in the center: a hand holding a lock of hair ("saw" in Sardinian dialect) means the Pilo family, bull ("fight" in Sardinian) - belongs to the Boyle family, and a red banner with gilding is a symbol of the Aragonese dynasty.
An integral part of the Palazzo Boyle is the Torre del Leone - the Lion Tower (sometimes it is incorrectly called the Torre del Aquila - the Eagle). It was built by the architect Giovanni Capula, the author of the other towers of Cagliari - Torre del Elefante and Torre di San Pancrazio. In 1708, the tower was seriously damaged during an attack by British troops on the city, then, in 1717 - from Spanish cannons, and in 1798 - during the French siege of Cagliari. Then she lost the upper part and, practically, was turned into ruins.
