Mold on the walls, peeling plaster, no ventilation system, and an entire wing unusable. This is the state of the public restrooms in Piazza Costituzione.
An essential service for the city, especially during the summer season, with the arrival of thousands of cruise passengers, but one that has been in critical condition for years without the Municipality having undertaken any decisive structural interventions.
On paper, the public restrooms beneath the Bastione, in the heart of the city, should have four restrooms for men, two for women, and one for people with disabilities on each side. But the reality, as of today, is quite different. A handwritten sign placed on a changing table immediately makes things clear: "Out of Service." For over a year, only two of the eight restrooms have been open to the public, one for women and one for men—and for people with disabilities, the only option left is to stop at one of the downtown bars. This situation is unsustainable for the many users who frequent the city center throughout the year and who, between shopping and enjoying coffee, need access to the restroom.
The conditions – "The bathrooms are always clean and supervised, but the mold problem is truly invasive," says Aladin, a newsagent at the Bastione. Cleanliness and staff, "always kind and helpful," get top marks, but this isn't enough to hide the serious structural and plumbing problems that have led to the closure of three-quarters of the facilities over time. So, on the sunniest days, dozens of people line up in an orderly fashion, waiting their turn and, one at a time – a bit like at the supermarket checkout – using the restroom, with endless waits and surrounded by mold-infested walls. A completely free service – which is popular with most – but one that hasn't gone unnoticed. "I think it's an essential service, but unfortunately it hasn't been properly maintained," says Silvana, a tourist I met just outside the restrooms under the Bastione. "The women's area isn't separated from the men's area, and the doors don't close properly. Structural work is needed as soon as possible."
In a self-proclaimed "tourist-oriented" city like Cagliari, there are only three public restrooms available: in addition to those in the Bastione, there are also those in Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Ingrao. The same story applies to all of them: finding them feels like a veritable treasure hunt. No signs or illuminated signs direct the way to the restrooms. Thus, Cagliari residents often have the task of guiding disoriented tourists, while restaurant owners are left to manage the incessant flow of requests for restroom access.
