A Sunday morning in the Marina has a unique smell and sound. The Cagliari dialect mingles with languages from all over the world: those of tourists queuing for a table, and those of new residents. They hail mostly from Bangladesh, but also from Senegal and Pakistan. The list of what is known as the "Melting Pot" in the Marina is long and colorful. According to municipal data, there will be 504 foreigners in 2025: 20.35% of the population, one in five residents. Thus, at the foot of Sant'Eulalia, an Indian restaurant sometimes coexists with places serving malloreddus and spaghetti allo scoglio.
The scenario
A mosaic of cultures and flavors, therefore, but also of contrasts. Restaurants are flanked by B&Bs, vacation rentals, and souvenir and magnet shops. A vitality that attracts visitors, but leaves residents wondering: what will remain of the neighborhood they know? Italo Pau, a longtime business owner in the neighborhood, describes it through his own home. "The change is undeniable. Two families lived below me. Now I'm the only one left: in their place are two B&Bs." And for young Cagliari residents, finding a home is a losing battle: "Rent is prohibitive, and buying is practically impossible." Meanwhile, the artisan workshops are dwindling, and tourism-related businesses are taking their place.
The full article is available on newsstands, on the L'Unione Digital app, and in the digital edition.
