Alghero

Alghero is situated in the north west of Sardinia in a natural bay overlooked by Capo Caccia promontory.

Founded at the end of the 12th century by the Genoese Doria family. It was a small military defense post, and because of it's strategic position for sea routes to the East and the presence of large quantities of coral (red gold) it was conquered by the Catalan troops led by King Peter IV of Aragon in 1355.

From that moment on Alghero became an enclave in Sardinia, from where the local residents were kicked out and replaced exclusively by Catalans.
Today the city still reflects the Catalan influence, which is still present especially in the language spoken by the local people of Alghero.

Photo: MAGICA Servizi Informatici

Between the 14th and 15th century most of the old town was built. The Gothic-Catalan architecture can still be seen today at San Francesco church and some of the older houses of the noble families, Columbano, d'Albis, Guillot and Machin, which are still enclosed by the city walls.
In successive years the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the church of San Michele and the 19th century noble residences overlooking Piazza Civica were built. A short drive outside the town you can visit important archeological sites such as Palmavera Nuragic Village, Necropoli of Anghelu Ruju and also the beautiful beaches of Le Bombarde and Lazaretto as well as Grotte di Nettuno