Tourist information - Alghero
Alghero derives its name from the abundance of seaweed (alghe) in the surrounding waters. It was known as Algarium around the Middle Ages and Al Alguer and Barcelloneta under Spanish rule. Alghero's roots go back to the tenth century, when the Genoese, with the aid of Pisans, turned away the Arabs and obtained grants of land from the Judges of Logudoro, one of the groups of judges that governed Sardinia during the Middle Ages. The Genoese house of Doria took possession of the city at the start of the twelfth century and held onto it until 1353, when the Catalan fleet defeated the vessels of Genoa near Porto Conte on the outskirts of Alghero. The Algherese revolted against the commanding officer of the garrison and killed him. The Spanish responded by sending 12,000 men and 100 galleys to stop the revolt. An agreement was arranged, the original inhabitants were forced to abandon their homes, and the town was then settled by Catalan families. Later on, when Charles V wanted to use the city as a base of operations against Saracen pirates, he visited Alghero and was so warmly received by its people that he proclaimed all of them "todos caballeros", a mark of distinction held in regard to this day by the Algherese. After Alghero came under Austrian rule with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Spain attempted once again to take over the city, but was obliged by the Treaty of London to yield Sardinia to the House of Savoy. Alghero was not greatly bothered by foreign influences again until it suffered bombings during World War II. Fearing an invasion by the Allied forces, the Sardinians constructed bunkers in strategic locations around the city that are still standing today, grim reminders of Alghero's more turbulent times. The old city is closed within thick fortress walls, interrupted only by solemn towers. The stone streets of the old city, narrow and lined with shops, are filled with randomly spaced and seemingly unplanned small piazzas. The polychrome dome of the church of San Michele and also the pointed Aragonese tower of the church of San Francesco dominate the city. Ljao/jan/1v21