Alghero history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Alghero begins in the Middle Ages. The city was founded in the early 12th century (traditionally, the foundation date is considered to be 1102) by the noble Genoese family Doria. Initially, the settlement was conceived as a strategic fortress to protect Genoa's interests in the north-western part of Sardinia and to control maritime routes.

Key Development Factors

• Geographical Location: The city emerged on a fortified peninsula, surrounded by the sea on three sides. This natural advantage allowed for the creation of a powerful fortification system, making Alghero difficult for enemy fleets to access.
• Political Power: In the early stages, the city was a subject of dispute between the Republics of Genoa and Pisa. However, a turning point was the conquest of the city by the Crown of Aragon in the mid-14th century, which forever changed the region's development vector.
• Maritime Trade: Thanks to its convenient harbour, Alghero quickly turned into an important commercial hub connecting the island with mainland Europe.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early city was built on fishing, agriculture, and the harvesting of precious red coral, which remains a symbol of the local Riviera today. The cultural appearance of Alghero is unique: after the Aragonese conquest in 1354, the city was settled by colonists from Catalonia. This event turned Alghero into a linguistic and cultural enclave, for which it is often called "Barceloneta" (Little Barcelona), having preserved Catalan traditions and dialect for centuries.

Key Milestones in Alghero's History

• 1102: The Genoese Doria family founds a fortified city on a strategically important cape to control maritime trade.
• 1353: The Aragonese fleet defeats the Genoese in the naval battle of Porto Conte, beginning an era of long Spanish rule.
• 1354: King Peter IV the Ceremonious populates the city en masse with settlers from Catalonia, laying the foundation for Alghero's unique linguistic culture.
• 1372: After suppressing a rebellion by the local population, the city definitively secures its status as a closed Catalan enclave.
• 1501: Ferdinand II of Aragon officially grants Alghero the honorary status of a Royal City.
• 1541: Emperor Charles V visits the city on a formal visit and highly praises its powerful defensive structures.
• 1652: The city suffers a severe plague epidemic, brought by a merchant ship, leading to a significant reduction in population.
• 1720: As a result of political agreements, Sardinia comes under the administration of the Savoy dynasty, and Alghero becomes part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia.
• 1861: The city officially becomes part of the unified Kingdom of Italy, beginning the process of integration into the national economy.
• 1943: The historic city centre sustains serious damage during World War II bombings, followed by a period of large-scale restoration.
• 1960s: The development of the civil airport in nearby Fertilia opens the region to mass tourism, transforming it into the famous "Coral Riviera".

City Evolution: From Fortress to Resort

The appearance of modern Alghero is the result of the layering of several cultures and eras. If you look at the city closely, you can see how each historical period changed its architecture and atmosphere.

• Genoese Urbanization (12th–14th Centuries)
  Legacy: Formation of the historical core. The Doria family turned a wild peninsula into an impregnable bastion. It was during this period that the network of narrow winding streets was laid out, designed to confuse potential invaders — today this is the main pedestrian zone for tourists.
• Catalan Cultural Expansion (from 1354)
  Legacy: Unique identity. After the city was settled by people from Barcelona and Valencia, Alghero became a cultural enclave. This event gave the city its "second name" — Barceloneta, as well as Gothic architecture, a distinct dialect, and culinary traditions that distinguish it from the rest of Sardinia.
• Era of Great Bastions (16th Century)
  Legacy: Defensive perimeter. In response to threats from the sea, the city was encircled by powerful walls and towers. Today, these fortifications have lost their military significance, transforming into famous promenades along the sea, offering the best views of the sunset.
• Savoy Integration (18th–19th Centuries)
  Legacy: Expansion beyond the walls. With the transition under the rule of the Savoy dynasty, the city began to grow outwards. The development of agriculture and vineyards in the surrounding areas created an economic base that allowed the city not to depend solely on the sea.
• Tourism Renaissance (from the 1960s)
  Legacy: Modern status. The opening of Fertilia airport and the promotion of the "Coral Riviera" brand radically changed the economy. Alghero transformed from a closed fishing port into a welcoming international resort, while preserving its historical charm.

Urban Structure and City Walls

The architectural appearance of Alghero is unique for Sardinia: it is a rare example of a perfectly preserved fortress city, where urban planning was dictated by military necessity for centuries. The historical centre (Centro Storico) is enclosed in a ring of powerful walls that define the boundaries of the old city.

• Military Architecture (12th–16th Centuries): The fortifications form the basis of the urban framework. Towers (for example, Torre di Sulis and Torre di Porta Terra) and bastions facing the sea demonstrate the evolution of fortification from medieval straight walls to powerful Renaissance artillery platforms.

Catalan Gothic (14th–16th Centuries)

This is the "calling card" of Alghero, the legacy of long Aragonese rule. It is this style that gives the city a resemblance to the historical quarters of Barcelona or Palma.

• Church of San Francesco (Chiesa di San Francesco): The main masterpiece of Catalan Gothic on the island. The building is distinguished by strict lines, an octagonal bell tower, and a magnificent covered cloister made of golden sandstone.
• Civil Architecture: Residential houses of that era have been preserved in the labyrinth of old streets. A vivid example is Palazzo Guillot with its characteristic arches and window decor.
• Cathedral Elements: From the original Gothic appearance of the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the portal and the base of the bell tower, decorated with floral ornaments, have been preserved.

Late Renaissance and Baroque (16th–18th Centuries)

During this period, the city renovated its religious structures, adding decorativeness and monumentality to the austere medieval appearance.

• Cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria): The city's main temple represents an eclectic mix of styles. Its main volume and interior date back to the late Renaissance, while the facade with Doric columns was added later in the era of Classicism (19th century).
• Church of San Michele (Chiesa di San Michele): An example of Baroque architecture dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Although the building itself dates back to the 17th century, its famous dome, covered with coloured majolica, became a modern symbol of the city much later.

Liberty and Rationalism (19th–20th Centuries)

With the loss of its defensive status at the end of the 19th century, Alghero expanded beyond the fortress walls, marking the appearance of new architectural forms.

• Liberty Style (Art Nouveau): Along the Dante promenade and outside the historical core (for example, Villa Las Tronas), elegant residences were built for the aristocracy, combining Neo-Gothic and floral Art Nouveau motifs.
• Rationalism (1930s): A few kilometres from the centre lies the district of Fertilia. This is a satellite town built from scratch during the Mussolini era. It is a textbook example of metaphysical architecture and rationalism: strict geometry, functionality, and a lack of excessive decoration.

Historical Figures

• Antonio Lo Frasso — Poet and soldier (16th Century)
  A native of Alghero who became famous in Spanish literature. His main work, "The Ten Books of the Fortune of Love", was highly praised by Miguel de Cervantes himself: in the novel "Don Quixote", it is one of the few books that the priest saves from burning, calling it unique in its genre.
• Giuseppe Manno — Statesman and historian (1786–1868)
  A prominent politician who served as President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Sardinia. For Sardinia, he is important primarily as the author of the fundamental work "History of Sardinia", which laid the foundations for the modern historiography of the island. The city's central park and lyceum bear his name.

Figures of Culture and Art

• Antoni Simon Mossa — Architect and ideologue (1916–1980)
  Although born in Padua, he dedicated his entire life to Alghero and Sardinia. As an architect, he designed the famous Escala del Cabirol staircase (654 steps) leading to Neptune's Grotto. He is also known as a theorist of Sardinian autonomy and a defender of the Catalan language in Alghero.
• Antonio Marras — Fashion designer (born 1961)
  A world-renowned couturier and former art director of the Kenzo fashion house. Marras lives and works in Alghero, drawing inspiration from local traditions, fabrics, and landscapes. His work plays a key role in popularizing Sardinian aesthetics on the international stage.
• Franca Masu — Singer and composer (born 1962)
  The main voice of modern Alghero. She performs jazz and ethnic music in the Algherese dialect of the Catalan language, making an invaluable contribution to preserving the city's unique linguistic heritage and presenting it on the stages of Europe.
• Enzo Favata — Jazz musician (born 1956)
  A famous saxophonist and composer experimenting with the combination of jazz and archaic Sardinian polyphony. Founder of international music festivals that attract connoisseurs of intellectual music from all over the world to the region.