Cagliari, Villa Devoto's Park of Autonomy

Autonomy Park. Photo by Marta Cincotti, 2025, from Catalogo BBCC.

The Villa Devoto Autonomy Park develops around the villa built between 1915 and 1919 by Gerolamo and Oddone Devoto in the Stampace district of Cagliari. In 1995, the transfer of ownership to the Autonomous Region of Sardinia marked a change of function, transforming the private garden into the institutional headquarters of the Regional Presidency. The name of the Park of Autonomy recalls the institutional and symbolic function of the place. The villa is configured as the visual and spatial fulcrum of the garden, integrating the original residential function with the current institutional and representative one. The green area covers about 17,000 m², spread over a sloping terrain and divided into terraces and differences in height that give spatial and perceptual variety. The layout of the green alternates open spaces, suitable for public use and official ceremonies, with more compact and tree-lined sectors, with avenues and rest areas that promote a dynamic experience of walking in the garden. The main axis is defined by the presence of the villa, around which there are paths, geometric flower beds, shaped hedges, lawns and small ornamental terraces. The vegetation is particularly rich and diverse. Near the villa there are sculptures by the artist Pinuccio Sciola and a fountain. Tree species include monumental and rare trees and various tall, dwarf palms. The park also houses themed areas such as an orchard, palm grove, succulent plants and wooded areas with oaks and cork oaks.

Consult the Catalogue of Cultural Heritage — Villa Devoto Park of Autonomy Card NCTN 2000253082

Aspects of interest
From a botanical point of view, the park preserves a heritage of exotic and rare plants introduced in the early twentieth century, which enrich urban biodiversity and document collecting practices and ornamental experimentation of the period. The interest of the asset lies in the possibility of valuing the whole as a place of historical memory, environmental resource and center of cultural enjoyment, strengthening the link between institutions, citizenship and heritage.