Catalan Walls – a symbolic monument of Alghero

History and description

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries by the Doria family to defend the colony, the walls became part of the Catalan stronghold after the Aragonese conquest in 1354. They were reinforced with towers and bastions, and in the 1500s modern maritime bastions were added. Combining Genoese and Catalan architectural styles, the walls are characterized by the presence of eight city towers, such as the Porta Terra Tower, and thirteen coastal towers, such as the Sant’Elmo Tower, most of which are still visible today.

Curiosities

According to some Catalan documents, the walls were impassable at night for certain inhabitants of the city, as access was granted only to specific individuals.

Access

The walls can be visited freely while strolling through the historic center, with no ticket required. The towers, however, are only open during events and exhibitions.

How to reach them

Located in the historic center of Alghero, the walls can be reached by ARST urban bus lines, by taxi near the Public Gardens, or on foot from Piazza Porta Terra.

A direct testimony to the changes brought by different rulers, the Catalan Walls stand as a key monument of Alghero, a living reminder of a past that still endures today.

Cover photo credits: kerale