Page 125 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

THE WESTERN C O AST  123

The harbour and broad seafront in Alghero
In the interior there is a The bell tower is Gothic, with a owes its name to the hospital
striking difference between hexagonal body set on a square for the poor which was there
the layout of the central part, base. The cupola, dressed with during the period of the black
which is late Renaissance, and multi coloured tiles, has become plague. When the weather is
that of the 16th-century the symbol of Alghero. clear, the impressive vertical
Gothic presbytery. Items of The two-aisle, white sand- profile of Capo Caccia stands
Catalan jewellery are on display stone interior still has Baroque out on the horizon.
in the sacristy. altars made of carved wood
and, under the star-spangled Environs
Gothic vault of the presbytery, To the north is the coastal town
there is an 18th-century altar. of Fertilia, a small yacht harbour
The sculptures include a Dead built during the Fascist era
Christ and Christ at the Column. as the centre of the land
The cloister, accessible from reclamation programme.
the sacristy, is well worth a Nearby you can still see the
visit. It is an eclectic sand stone 13 arches of the Roman bridge
construction, built in different at the ancient city of Carbia. At
periods. The lower part dates one time the bridge connected
from the 14th century, while Carbia to Portus Nympharum,
the upper part was added in now Porto Conte bay. A few
the 1700s. The 22 columns are minutes away stands the site
in two sections, with round or of Palmavera Nuraghe. This
polygonal bases and sculpted prehistoric complex contains
Displays of coral jewellery capitals. During the summer two towers and a courtyard
music season, the Estate surrounded by a barbican.
P Via Principe Umberto Musicale Internazionale di East of Alghero are the
This narrow street, which begins Alghero, concerts and other Necropolis Anghelu Ruju,
at the Cathedral, was one of the cultural events are held in these the largest pre-nuraghic burial
main arteries in the old walled lovely surroundings. In other place of its kind in Sardinia, and
city. Of interest are the Casa seasons of the year events and the Sella & Mosca vineyard
Doria (16th century), Palazzo art exhibitions are held in the and museum (see p191).
della Curia and, in Piazza Vittorio old refectory.
Emanuele II, the 19th-century
Savoyard Teatro Civico. The Beaches
The port of Alghero has never
R San Francesco and been an important trading place,
Cloister partly because of its position
Via Carlo Alberto. Tel 079 97 92 58. and the low-lying coast. There
Open 9:45am–12:30pm, 5–6:30pm is no heavy industry here and, as
daily (Sun evenings only). a result, the sea is not polluted.
San Francesco may very well be A series of resorts can be found
the most important Catalan just outside the old town. The
monument in the whole of best-known beach is the Bom-
Sardinia. Built at the end of the barde, a strip of pure white sand
1300s and then partially rebuilt bordered by crystal-clear sea,
when some of the structure 8 km (5 miles) northwest of
collapsed, the church displays the city. Another good beach Entranceway to the prehistoric site of
different stylistic influences. nearby is the Lazzaretto, which Palmavera Nuraghe

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