Also known as Barceloneta—‘little Barcelona’—Alghero is a small town of roughly 42,000 inhabitants, 22% of whom speak a variant of the Catalan language.While the name Alghero derives from the word algae, because of the quantity of this marine vegetation that is deposited onto the coast, the native population derives its origin from Catalonia, Spain.
Traces of civilization date back as far as the 4th century BC. Monuments from the Nuraghic civilization have been unearthed, as well as Phoenician buildings near the city.
The city of Alghero, however, traces its modern beginnings to the Republic of Genoa in the 11th century, which built the fortifications of the city. The Genovese were completely removed from the city in 1353 by the Kingdom of Aragon, which began populating Alghero stricly with Catalonians.
Although Alghero became part of the Kingdom of Savoy in 1720 and, then, the Republic of Italy in 1861, Alghero has remained predominantly a Catalan city.
I dare to say that Alghero is the most picturesque city that I visited in Sardinia, boasting nearby grottos, white beaches and emerald waters, red coral reefs, and a warm mild climate all year.
Photo & slideshow Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.
