Alghero is a Sardinian city with a clear Catalonian influence. It underwent Spanish colonisation for a lengthy period of time which left its mark on the town’s architecture, traditions, its typical cuisine like the famous “aragosta alla catalana” (Catalonian-style Lobster) and above all on the local language, to such an extent that the people of Alghero have a strong sense of belonging to the culture of their motherland. Situated a few kilometres from Alghero, the hamlet of Fertilia has recently become the Island’s gateway for tourism thanks to its airport, which the low-cost airlines with destination Sardinia, have favoured as their disembarkation point. The last of the cities to be founded by the fascist regime, Fertilia was born
in 1936 following the reclamation of the Nurra area. The original plan, developed by Arturo Miraglia, foresaw the creation of a futuristic city as required by the rational architecture of the XX century. Once this project was put aside, the little town was built following the more traditional designs of the Petrucci – Tufaroli – Paolini – Silenzi firm. Originally inhabited by colonies from Ferrara and Julian and Dalamatian refugees, today Fertilia’s economy is based on tourism, thanks to the airport and the little tourist port.
The inhabited area in typical fascist-style is certainly of great interest; it is mainly concentrated around the road axis of Via Pola, which leads to the little San Marco square with its church housing a mosaic by the great Sardinian artist, Giuseppe Biasi. The primary school is not far away and this is the only building actually erected from Miraglia’s original plan; a striking example of rationalist architecture meeting with the futurist language.
On the road for Alghero, the remains of an old Roman bridge are to be found, renovated during the Middle Ages
but which nowadays is in very bad condition. Many places in Sardinia lead back to the history of the old mines. At Argentiera, not far from the modern village of Palmadula, the Romans and Pisans dedicated long periods to the extraction of the precious metal which gives its name to the area. The nineteenth century mines with their wooden and brick buildings are imposing structures overlooking the sea from where the cargo boats and vessels arrived to load the minerals ready for sale.
Over the last few years the renovation and rebuilding work, which is still in progress, has changed the visual image of the mining complex, which nevertheless, remains one of the most fascinating examples of archaeological industry that can be visited in Sardinia. During the summer, bathers enjoy using the beach where they can find peace and tranquillity and crystal clear waters more than anywhere else on the Island. |
