Alghero had been a very popular holiday destination in Sardinia since the early 1960?s. This is even more so the case now with the advent of cheap air travel from easyJet and Ryanair. So what does Alghero and Sardinia have to offer you? Our recommendation is that you hire a car from a reputable car rental company and sample some of its delights from beaches, to attractions and not to forget the food!
The Spanish forts and part of the ancient city walls were demolished at the end of the ancient ramparts and towers that overlook the sea, such as the famous porta Eart andSant Joan. The ancient streets of the “walled city” have a pavement in acciotolato or stone and is picturesque
The visit of Alghero begins at old port, which can be reached along the central Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The port is dominated by massive bastione of Mary magdalene and a tower, which contains a plaque certifying the visit of Garibaldi as far back as August 14, 1855. On the opposite side is the Bastion Magellan, overlooking the port and connects to the south with the Bastion Pigafetta (where there is the famous Tower Polverera), with the Bastion Marco Polo and, finally, with Forts Cristoforo Colombo, which are between the towers of St. James and Sulis.
E ‘can reach the Piazzetta Civic passing through the impressive Sea port, where are the old City Hall and the interesting Albis palace or de Ferrera, a great example of Gothic architecture with several windows in the same style. On the left side, the entrance door to Sea, there is a small sculpture of Sant?Elm, protector of seafarers, the work of sculptor Antonio Avagnina. Proceeding further, the square connects with the wide Via Manno, they are in the Oratorio del Rosario and the Cathedral of St. Mary, in neoclassical style, built during the nineteenth century. The construction consists of three aisles, separated by a massive column of trachyte, on the one octagonal dome and a transept with beautiful Renaissance portals, belonging to the first half of the sixteenth century. Even the base of the tower is particularly fascinating, made up of fantastic portals gigliati Gothic.
Along the Via Umberto feature is the Casa Doria, with portal and windows of the sixteenth century, while in nearby Piazza Vittorio Emanuele you can admire the Civic Theater of the nineteenth century. In the square are also the Archbishopric and the so-called Palau Machin particular example of Gothic architecture Catalan. From the Piazzetta Civic, the central Via Carlo Alberto, road characteristic for the presence of several shops, leads to the St Francis Church built during the second half of the fifteenth century and rebuilt nell?ottocento. Inside the building you can admire the fantastic cross vaults of chapels, the various Gothic arches and a wonderful time stellata in the presbytery, probably the most beautiful in Sardinia. E ?can also admire the wooden altars side, the two statues of Christ and the Dead Christ at the Column and windows decorated the gallery, located on the left of the main. From the sacristy you can get to Romanesque cloister of the fourteenth century, the only example of this type survived in Sardinia. Just behind is easily recognisable the Church of San Michele built in 1612 and characterized by a large wooden choir, from important baroque altars and polychrome an imposing dome that stands between the narrow streets of the historic center, created in the eighteenth century by Filippo Figari.
On the right side of the church, within the premises of Liceo Manno, is the Public Library, full of ancient and rare books in Catalan language. Almost opposite the library is the Church of Mercy, with times trachyte, cross vaults of the nave and once driving in the choir.
Via Carlo Alberto leads to Piazza Sulis summer meeting place for teachers during the summer, with bars and restaurants, and the Waterfront overlooking Columbus, dominated by the Tower of Sulis, on two floors with circular rooms. From the terrace of the tower is possible to admire a fantastic landscape of the city and along the coast.
Proceeding on the right of the tower you can cross the adjacent Via Simon, the way that allows you to see the remarkable examples of military architecture already cited, namely the towers of Sant Joan and Land Port dels or Ebreus. Also from Piazza Sulis you can continue on the road opposite, or stroll along the panoramic of Lungomare Valencia from which you can admire a fantastic landscape that looks towards Capo Caccia, north, and the southern promontory of Cape Marargiu along the Alghero -Bosa road.
From far side of the city,just from the harbour, walk northward to the Lido, along the beautiful Waterfront Busquets, now in the process of renewal, built to connect the historic city with the port itself and bathing area. Nearby, inwards, you can follow a road that leads to the shrine of our lady of Valverde probably the most interesting country church of Alghero and visited often during the spring.