The population is noted for having retained the language of theCrown of Aragon rulers from the end of the Middle Ages, when Sardinia was part of the Crown of Aragon; hence,Algherese (the Catalan dialect spoken there) is officially recognized as aminority language.
The area of modern-day Alghero has been settled since pre-historic times. TheOzieri culture was present here in the 4th millennium BC (Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju), while theNuraghe civilization settled in the area around 1,500 BC.
ThePhoenicians arrived by the 8th century BC and themetalworking town of Sant'Imbenia – in the area of later Alghero –, with a mixed Phoenician andNuragic population, engaged in trade with theEtruscans on the Italian mainland.[4]
Due to its strategic position on theMediterranean Sea, Alghero had been developed into a fortified port town by 1102, built by theGenoeseDoria family. The Dorias ruled Alghero for centuries, apart from a brief period under the rule ofPisa between 1283 and 1284. Alghero's population later grew because of the arrival ofCatalan colonists. In the early 16th century, Alghero received papal recognition as abishopric and the status of King's City (ciutat de l'Alguer) and developed economically.
Sulis Tower
Historically, the city was founded in the early twelfth century between 1102 and 1112, when the nobleDoria family ofGenoa was allowed to build the first historical nucleus into an empty section of the coast of theparish of Nulauro inJudicature of Torres (Sassari). For two centuries it remained in the orbit of theMaritime Republics, first and foremost the Genoese, apart from 1283 to 1284 when thePisans were able to control it for a year. It is plausible that at this time the town shared, given its commercial and multi-ethnic nature, a language similar to the nascentSassarese.
San Francesco ChurchCivic Square
The village wasconquered by theCrown of Aragon, at the behest ofPeter IV of Aragon (r. 1336–1387), who later actively promoted colonisation of the town and the surrounding area, sending numerous families from different counties and provinces of the then Crown of Aragon, includingValencia,Majorca,Catalonia andAragon. These were granted enticing privileges and, in fact, replaced the original population, some of whom were sent to theIberian Peninsula and Majorca as slaves.[5] The dialects these families spoke in Alghero were all very similar and derived from the same linguistic family. Over time, it settled on its current form of Catalan, despite the subsequent decline of the Crown of Aragon.
The Aragonese were followed by the SpanishHabsburgs, who ruled until 1702 and continued expanding the town.
In 1720, Alghero, along with the rest of Sardinia, was handed over to thePiedmont-basedHouse of Savoy, upon the arrival of which a policy ofItalianization was commenced. In 1821, a famine led to a revolt by the population, which was bloodily suppressed. At the end of the same century, Alghero was de-militarised.
During theFascist era, part of the surrounding marshes were reclaimed and the suburbs of Fertilia and S.M. La Palma were founded. DuringWorld War II (1943), Alghero was bombed, and its historical centre suffered heavy damage. The presence ofmalaria in the countryside was finally overcome in the 1950s. Since then, Alghero has become a popular tourist destination.
Alghero is located on the northwestern coast of Sardinia, along the bay named after the city. In the north of the urban area, there is the Nurra plain; to the northwest, the karstic systems of Capo Caccia, Punta Giglio and Monte Doglia. The south is built mainly by mountains and the plateaus ofVillanova Monteleone andBosa.
The climate at Alghero is mild due to the presence of the sea, which attenuates the temperatures especially during the summer. Summers are warm, like most parts of the Mediterranean. Winters are also mild, with the thermometers showing negative Celsius temperatures just a few days per year.
As of 2025, Alghero has a population of 41,989, of which 48.2% are male and 51.8% are female, compared to the national average of 49.0% and 51.0% respectively. Minors make up 11.3% of the population, and seniors make up 28.6%, compared to the national average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.[2]
As of 2025, the foreign-born population is 2,753, making up 6.6% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities areRomanians (354),Germans (249),French (192),Brits (132) andBangladeshis (123).[10]
A variety ofCatalan isspoken in Alghero, introduced when Catalans settled in the town.[11] Catalan was replaced as the official language of the Island by Spanish in the 17th century, then by Italian. The most recent linguistic research showed that 24.1% of the people haveAlgherese Catalan as a mother tongue, which is habitually spoken by 18.5% and taught to the children by 8% of the population, whereas 88.2% have some understanding of the language.[12][13] Since 1997, Catalan has had official recognition and national and regional laws grant its right to be used in the city. Currently, there has been a revival of the arts in Algherese Catalan, with singers such asFranca Masu performing original compositions in the language.[14]
Following arural exodus from the surrounding villages towards the city, much of the population speaks or has some proficiency inSardinian, in addition to Italian and Catalan. Historically, the spread of Catalan was limited to the city and part of the coast, as the surrounding countryside has always been populated by Sardinian-speaking people.
Moreover, the ancient part of Alghero shows many characteristics of Catalan medieval architecture. The 'algueresos' (Alghero inhabitants) usually refer to their city as 'Barceloneta' – 'littleBarcelona' – because of their ancestry and fraternity with theCatalan capital. This Catalan population was the subject of an 1888 book byEduardo Toda y Güell:Un poble català d'Itàlia: l'Alguer, which restarted the connection betweenCatalonia and Alghero. The cuisine is a blend ofCatalan cuisine andSardinian cuisine.[15]
The many historical dominances that occurred in Alghero have created a rich variety of monuments, buildings and sights. Starting from the Neolithic period (from which many settlements remain), up to the current day, Alghero has become a tourist destination; this is only because of its coast and natural beauties but also because of a fairly well-preserved patrimony.
Several archeological sites out of the urban area: theAnghelu Ruju necropolis, the Santu Pedru hill, the Villa Romana of Santa Imbenia or even the Purissima. Many nuraghi in some other points as Palmavera are also well preserved and open to visitors.
The first rampart system looks back to the 13th century and was imported from theGenovese system. In 1354, the city was occupied by Catalans, who restored and expanded the defensive system, back then in bad condition. Some features from the old walls were respected, butFerdinand the Catholic, who wanted to grant more protection to the city, built the majority of them in the 16th century. Along the walls, seven towers and three forts are found.
Alghero Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Immacolata di Alghero) is the seat of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Alghero-Bosa (initially bishopric of Alghero). Construction started in 1570, and although it was opened in 1593, it was not until 1730 that it was finished and consecrated. The original church was in the Catalan-Gothic style, as can be seen in the five chapels of thepresbytery, which also include the base of the bell tower. The nave and the two aisles are of late Renaissance style. In the 20th century a Neo-Classicalnarthex was added to the façade, radically altering its appearance.
The church of St. Francis (1360, rebuilt in the late 16th century). Original Catalan-Gothic parts can be seen over the high altar, the presbytery chapels and the San Sacramento Chapel. The bell tower is from the first half of the 16th century.
The coral of Alghero is among the finest in the Mediterranean with a reputation for quantity, quality, compression and ruby red color. Indeed, this coral is one of the most important economic aspects of the territory, giving this stretch of the coast its name, theRiviera del Corallo. The coat of arms and flag of Alghero include a branch of the valuable red coral on a foundation of rock.
The territory around Alghero territory features several villages and hamlets; these communities feature their own churches and partial services and shops.
Fertilia – Well known for the origin of thefoundation city atFascism era and for the airport
Santa Maria La palma – Well known to be the location of the famous wineryCantina sociale
Maristella – Porto Conte
Tramariglio
Guardia grande
Villa Assunta
Sa Segada
I piani
Tanca Farrà
Alghero's landscape is also one of the town's noteworthy features. It has several beaches, bays and natural parks on the shoreline. Capo Caccia promontory and its lighthouse are landmarks.
Alghero is well-connected. Roads lead to Sassari, the province's capital. The main port for passengers is 30 kilometers away and Alghero – Fertilia airport has national and international flights.
There is a leisure and fishing port in the heart of the city. Passenger traffic is handled byPorto Torres, some 30 kilometers north. There are ferry services from there toGenoa,Barcelona andCivitavecchia.
TheAlghero-Fertilia "Riviera del Corallo" Airport is 10 kilometers from the centre near Fertilia. It is the principal connection with the rest of Italy and Europe. There is an hourly bus service to Fertilia and the centre of Alghero.
In the 1930s, theSwedish writerAmelie Posse Brazdova wrote a book entitledSardinia Side Show. In the book, Brazdova told the complete story of two years she spent "interned" in Alghero's old town duringWorld War I.
^Miles, Richard (2010).Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization. United States: Penguin Books. pp. 42–43.ISBN978-0-14-312129-9.
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