Due to its size and population, it hasn't been a town for many years, but Capoterra will finally be able to boast the title of city thanks to the official recognition that will soon arrive directly from the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
The proposal to change Capoterra's status was unanimously approved during the last City Council meeting: the document now passes to the Prefect of Cagliari, Giuseppe Castaldo, for recognition by the Quirinale.
Mayor Beniamino Garau explains that calling Capoterra a city and no longer a town isn't just a matter of prestige, but rather a recognition of the work carried out by all municipal administrations over the past thirty years: "We have all the requisites to be considered a city, and not just in terms of population—given that, with nearly 24,000 inhabitants, Capoterra is one of the most populous on the island—but also in terms of the services available in the area. We have a high-quality healthcare center, retirement homes, an independent high school, and numerous sports facilities . Capoterra is now one of the most important centers in the greater Cagliari area. It has grown, and its achievement of city status confirms this. The prefect will put this change into writing as soon as he receives official notification from the President of the Republic."
The proposal from the majority benches was also voted on by the minority councilors. "I voted for that agenda item because I believe it's right to consider Capoterra a city," says former mayor Francesco Dessì. "This is the result of the great work carried out by the mayors of the last three decades. Perhaps what Mayor Garau says isn't true; in the last council term we didn't just warm our seats." Piero Marras, a Capoterra resident since 1998, says whether Capoterra is a town or a city makes no difference: "I've always felt at ease here, and the relationship with the people is excellent, but if this recognition can benefit the municipal administration and the community, then it's welcome."
Giovanna Cocco, vice president of the Gea Ambiente e Turismo Cooperative, which created the Lagoon Museum and manages the Ceas in Capoterra, applauds the recognition: "From a cultural perspective, Capoterra has made significant progress in recent years. I hope this title will help us achieve even greater goals."
