Among the most important cities of Sardinia we certainly find Alghero, which is part of the province of Sassari. Alghero is located on the northwest coast of the island. Its location makes the city an important tourist center.
From here it is very easy to reach some of the most famous beaches of Sardinia, and in addition the presence of the airport means that many tourists start from here their trip to Sardinia, both in summer and in winter.
Even if you know the city you may not be aware of some information about its medieval walls, which due to their state of conservation represent a real excellence from the historical and cultural point of view, that very few other locations can boast.
The walls of Alghero: a history of almost a millennium
The foundation of Alghero traditionally dates back to the early twelfth century, by the Genoese family of Doria. The location of the city made it an important economic center, but at the same time there were threats, such as those coming from pirates who furrowed the Mediterranean at the time.
For this reason it did not take long to see a real wall rise. It began with elementary fortifications, but it was not until the thirteenth century to have the walls that we know today.
This initial route included twenty-six towers, able to guarantee a complete view over the entire stretch of sea in front of Alghero. In the centuries between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age there were not many works, and the walls remained almost identical. Once arrived in the sixteenth century it became necessary to modernize the defensive structure of the city. The new wall was completed only on the sea side, while the land fortifications were not completed. The importance of Alghero from the military point of view gradually decreased, until, during the nineteenth century and following the unification of Italy, it was opted for a dismantling of the defenses. In fact, much of the walls has remained standing today and is clearly visible.
Foto : Pixabay
The towers not to be missed
As we said a few lines ago the walls are in a good state of preservation, and this also applies to some of the towers that formed the cornerstones of the defensive line of Alghero. Some of them are now part of the modern city, and can be encountered crossing the town from one side to the other.
Among the most important are the Tower of San Giacomo and that of Sant’Elmo. If you go towards Sassari you can find the Torre di Porta Terra. From a strictly historical point of view, the Tower of Sulis, the scene of major clashes, is undoubtedly worth mentioning.
In total eight of these ancient towers are included in the urban territory of Alghero, while eleven more still stand along the surrounding coast.
Many of these towers can be visited without any problem. The opening times and days may vary depending on the structure, but if you are in Alghero you can take the opportunity to visit almost all of them during a single day.
The flavors of Alghero
Alghero is a city intimately linked to Spain so much so that even today Catalan is the language of the city, and this has led to the development of a culinary tradition that can mix the flavors of Sardinia with some typical specialties of the Iberian Peninsula.
An excellent example is the Algherese paella. As the name suggests it is a real paella, but made with a pasta called fregola, and with various condiments, including lamb.
Another dish that already recalls the name Spain is the Lobster Catalan, prepared with the homonymous crustacean caught right in the sea around Alghero, and flavored with tomato and onions.
Speaking of unique flavors, you can not leave Alghero without having tasted the Copatza de Peix, an excellent spicy fish soup with chili.
How to get to Alghero
There are numerous ways to get to Alghero, starting from both the mainland and other areas of Sardinia.
For those arriving from the rest of Italy a good option could be to take an airplane flight. Near the city there is the airport of Alghero – Fertilia. From the airport it is very easy to get to Alghero, thanks to the possibility of using public transport or taking a taxi. Alternatively you can also rent a car.
Another solution is to arrive in Sardinia by boat, using the many ferries that depart from the main Italian ports overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. In these cases you can directly embark your car, and then reach Alghero by car, or you can opt for the rental of a car once you arrive in Sardinia.
As for public transport Alghero can be reached from other cities of the island using buses and trains. The lines to follow depend on the starting point of your trip.
Copertina: Pixabay
