Monserrato is a municipality in the province of Cagliari with approximately 21,000 inhabitants.

Monserrato was an autonomous municipality until 1928, when it was merged with Cagliari. It regained its autonomy in 1991 after a referendum and through a regional law.

The Sardinian name ‘Pauli’ means marsh. Already in the Middle Ages it took the name Paùly, first, and then Paùli Pirri. Later, it became Paùli Monserrato and finally took the name Monserrato (a word related to the Madonna of Montserrat, near Barcelona).

The town’s economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, particularly viticulture. Even today, the largest production facility is the Cantina Sociale (founded in 1924, the first in Sardinia) that produces fine wines such as Nuragus, Monica, Moscato, Nasco and Girò. It is not difficult to notice in the historic centre still a few palm leaves on the side of the house portal, attesting to the sale of family-produced wine.

Near Monserrato there is the Cittadella Universitaria, a large complex that includes the Policlinico Universitario (University Hospital) and in which several universities of the University of Cagliari have been decentralised.