ALGHERO,
RIVIERA DEL CORALLO |
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Alghero is one small area of the province of Sassari, 35 Km to the south-west of the provincial capital, in the southern Nurra. Facing out on to the Gulf of Omonimo, it is just 7 metres above sea level. The commune has an area of about 225 Km2 with approximately 41,000 inhabitants.
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Founded
by the Genoese in the 12th century, it was long held under the dynasty
of the Doria Family, only interrupted for a short period of rule
by Pisa from 1283 to 1284. In 1353, after a long siege, it was conquered
by Peter IV D' Arborea and the population, forced to escape, was
replaced by a Catalan colony, and even today the inhabitants of
Alghero speak with a Catalan dialect. It was under the Spanish Aragonese
domination, lasting until 1720, that the city, heavily fortified
in the 15th century, continued for a long period to possess its
unique position that was of fundamental and strategic importance,
representing the "bridgehead" before the Reign of Aragon,
then during the Reign of Spain in the western Mediterranean.
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Today, the welcoming Catalan citizens share their lives, whether in spring or summer, with that of the visiting Italian and foreign tourists who flock to admire the splendid coast and the historical centre that has preserved many of its wonderful architectural characteristics. Of particular interest is the development of the high buildings along the tight narrow lanes of the historical centre, which is due to the fact that the city fortifications precluded the widening of it walls, hence the city developed upwards rather than sideways! Widening of the perimeter walls was further impeded, since on one side there was the sea with the Murgie sand bank that rendered landings from ships difficult, and the other, backing towards land, was one large swamp. |
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The
historical centre of Alghero is a rare and unique jewel of the Sardinian
heritage, the year of 1354 being accepted as the origin of "Catalan
Alghero". That Alghero should still be such today is emphasised
not only from the richness of language and traditions, but also
from the monuments right in the historical centre that 'speak' of
their Catalan roots: listen to the two most elegant bell towers
and be moved by the wistful architecture of the Cathedral and Church
of St. Francisco, but also take in the historical whispers of the
many great palaces constructed in the omnipotent Gothic-Catalan
style. |
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This interesting
city is also very special from the numismatic point of view, for
its "minutz", a currency that was struck from the official
Mint of Alghero, and managed by the Jews. The old Mint can be found
in the area in front of the Church of the Misericordia. The presence
of the Jews in Alghero, lasting until they were hunted down and
expelled from all territories occupied by Spain, is undeniable:
the tower of Porta Terrafu for example, was constructed with obligatory
contributions from the Jewish community, and this tower also carries
the name "The Jew's Tower".
Alghero is the principal tourist centre of the "Coral Coast",
from the fine sands of its solitary beaches, small hidden inlets
bordered by luxurious pine trees, to reefs of delicate coral bathed
in a warm, emerald green sea.
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Feature from www.algheroweb.it - the Portale of the Coast of the Coral- |
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