Alghero

History

The territory of Alghero is seen populated for initially there is approximately: 6000 during the Neolithic : the nuragic Culture built there many monuments, of which Nécropole S known as ipogeiche in Santu Pedru and Aghelu Ruju, and villages nuragic of Palmavera and Sant' Imbenia. The Phéniciens built there one of their port S most important thanks to many the resources, especially of fresh water.

Alghero keeps few traces of the Roman time , of which the village of Santa Imbenia, the sanctuary of Purissima and the bridge on the pond of Calich.

The city undergoes several dominations of more powerful countries. The old city was founded in first half of the 11th century by the noble ones of the family Doria, Génoise. Its strategic position and the presence of subterranean water (which one still finds wells in the old city) attracted many covetousnesses. In 1283 the Pisans tried to take control of it but failed, and in 1353 the city was conquered by the Royaume of Aragon, which there installed massively families of Barcelona, catalanophones, and expelled the local Sardinian population. Some support that these Catalans were in major part of the grâciés criminals left the Prison S Catalan women, and of the prostitutes, thesis not accepted by the algheresi of today. It is at the same time that the city is struck by the Black Death.

Alghero is left without military protection during second half of the 14th century and the crisis of the kingdom of Aragon, leaving the free track with Eleonora d' Arborea and her husband Brancaleone Doria to conquer the city.

The economy is in crisis in 1492 during the expulsion of the Juifs of the territory (there was a great Jewish community); it will remain weak until 1503 and the papal edict .

The emperor Carlo V visits Alghero in 1541, accompanied by the Admiral Andrea Doria.

The plague struck again in 1652 at the time of the arrival of a ship coming from Catalonia; many a algheresi tried to escape the epidemic by fleeing the city but spread the disease on all the territory. The epidemic will die out only after four years.

In 1720 the Maison of Savoy took control, but Alghero and its Catalan culture resisted the changes imposed by the Savoyard ones.

The area was bombarded during the Second world war and occupied by the German troops . The algheresi succeeded in revolting, especially because the city itself was not damaged too much by the bombs. The inhabitants who lost their houses were placed in the college of the Jésuite S and the church of San-Michele; these places still keep traces of their passage.

During the Years 1960, it saw one period of great growth accompanied by a strong real estate speculation, and the construction of several Hôtel S along the coast.

Geography

Alghero is located in the North-West of the island of Sardinia, on a small peninsula. Its 68 km east coast long thanks to its rather complex geography, with several small bay S and small rivers. The Cape Caccia, located at 24 km of the city, fact part of an protected area.

Places of interest

Archeological sites

There exist many extra-urban archeological sites: the necropolis of Anghelu Ruju and that of Santu Pedru, a villa of the Roman epoch, Santa Imbenia, the place known as Purissima (perhaps the site of the lost city of Carbia), and complexes nuragic of Palmavera and Santa Imbenia, like several monuments nuragic scattered in the territory. There is also a tomb of the royal family of Aragon.

Fortifications

Alghero is one of the only Italian cities to have kept approximately 70% of its fortifications (it misses the part which goes from the Fort of Maddalena to the Tower of Esperò Rejal). Recently restored, the turns and the wall offer a walk on the coast which continues with a way built during the Années 1950, and which goes from the beach of Bosa to the port of Alghero, where it joined the rambla . The bastions which defend the old city are catalano-Aragonese time; on the basis of the piazza of Sulis, they carry all of the names of famous explorers: Marco Polo, Pigafetta, Magellan, Maddalena… There are several doors and turns starting from the piazza di Porta Ground: Torre di Porta Terra or degli Ebrei , built thanks to the contributions of the important Jewish community, Torre di San Giovanni , Torre dell' Esperò Rejal or dello Sperone , di San Giacomo or dei cani ( dogs , because it was used formerly as fourrière), della Campana , della Polveriera , di Sant' Elena , di Garibaldi or della Maddalena , where the fort of Maddalena is, today in ruins. With the port a small tower is who was used to greet and to protect the sailors who left, the tower della Madonnina ( small Madonna ), where one still requests for a good catch and good weather. There exist several other turns with Alghero, of which del Lazzaretto , Nuova , del Bulo , Pegna , del Porticciolo , and of Bantini Sale in Oporto Ferro.

There are no only Aragonese fortifications; during the Second world war were built several forts and fortifications with Alghero and in all Sardinia. Many was used as temporary dwellings; some are it still, causing tensions with the close bases of NATO. Several are still worth visiting.

Palazzi

There are many palates with Alghero, of the most varied styles. The ruins of the house of Giuseppe Manno, an Italian politician, were demolished several years ago. Old the Hospital, given up a long time, shelters today the faculty of architecture of the university of the Mediterranean.

Churches

The churches of the city were especially built during the time going of XIVe at the XVIIe centuries. The cathedral, dedicated with Holy Marie, was built at the 16th century. There exist other places of catholic worship in the neighborhoods, of which the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Valverde.

Administration

Hamlets

Sant' Agostino, It Dyes with carmine, Pivarada, Fertilia, Santa Maria Palma, Oporto Conte

Communes bordering

Olmedo, Putifigari, Sassari, Uri, Villanova Monteleone

Demographic trends

See too

List of the Italian cities of more than 25.000 inhabitants

External bonds

Alguer.it, it quotidiano di Alghero

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