Where is Alghero located
The resort city is located in northern Sardinia. It ranks fifth in terms of population and third among cities that host universities for foreigners, after Cagliari and Sassari.
The population of Alghero is about 43,000 people. The native language is considered Italian, but many people also speak Catalan (Algherese dialect) or Sardinian fluently. Local residents, and recently some tourists as well, refer to their city as "Barceloneta," which means "little Barcelona."
History of Alghero
The history of this Sardinian city dates back to the 4th millennium BCE when Phoenician settlements were established here. Remains of nuraghe structures, ancient megalithic buildings, have also been found in the area.
Alghero was officially founded in 1102 by the Doria family. At that time, the city served primarily as a port. It had strategic importance and an abundant supply of fresh water, which contributed to its development. Even today, many houses in the Old Town still have medieval wells.
Like any other city, Alghero has had its share of bloody history. However, its unique feature lies in the remarkable preservation of defensive structures and walls, with 80% of the bastions from the medieval era still standing to this day.
The city faced threats from the Aragonese, Genoese, and Pisan forces. In 1283, the Pisans managed to capture Alghero, but only for a year. Any invader had to overcome three layers of defense: impassable coral reefs, defensive ships, and watchtowers.
In 1353, Alghero was finally conquered by the Kingdom of Aragon and became part of its territory. As a result, Catalans settled in the region and brought their language, which eventually developed into the local dialect. In 1702, Aragonese rule came to an end, and the city passed to the Kingdom of Piedmont.
During World War II in 1943, Alghero suffered extensive damage from bombings, especially in its Old Town. Many temples and churches had to be restored.
