Alghero Cathedral, Alghero, Italy

Alghero was designated as a diocesan seat in 1503 but construction work on the cathedral did not begin until 1567. It was inaugurated in 1593 but was not finished. After several restorations it was consecrated in 1730.

The church was originally in Catalan-Gothic style, as can be seen in the five chapels and ambulatory of the presbytery, which also includes the octagonal base of the bell tower. The nave and the two aisles are however in Late Renaissance style. The main altar was designed by the Genovese artist Giuseppe Massetti (1727): the sculpture shows Mary the Immaculate flanked by angels. He also designed the ambulatory and the pulpit. In 1862 a Neo-Classical narthex was added to the façade, which dramatically changed its appearance.

The first chapel on the right side is dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Its imposing, marble altar was inaugurated in 1824. It is located inside a circular temple, reminding the Temple of Vesta in Rome.

The cathedral is the burial site of the Italian-born Duke of Montferrat (1762-1799) and his brother Count of Asti (1766-1802) who died on the island having caught malaria. The marble mausoleum was sculpted by Felice Festa in the early 19th century.

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User Reviews

Marcos Gallego Llorente (2 years ago)
Beautiful cathedral with Catalan details and marble figures

Jerome G (2 years ago)
Statuary has been there since 17th century. You can easily guess Sardinia was not often touch by wars. Was it not?

Gary Hollis (2 years ago)
I can only say that this is a place of beauty and of miracles , I had a unplanned chat with god here whilst on holiday with my immediate and extended family to help me recover from illness that I’ve suffered over the last few years , it is a place of warmth and instantly I felt at home as if it was meant to be . I visited twice , the first visit a impulse as I passed by , I went in and I had a private chat with god and told him my thoughts , I had never in my life visited a church to do so , I then visited a second time a couple of days later as I passed again , drawn in by the atmospheric music of a piano and flute playing random music . I again spoke to god , this time as I turned around to leave he answered through the music , a music score started playing from without a doubt my favourite film ever and a part of it where the hero fights back. Only god could have known this , a music score in a church is random enough never mind my favourite piece , it has given me the hope and the strength to start the fight I need to get my life back on track . Thank you agherro, thank you god ,I will always be grateful.

Plamen Kolev (3 years ago)
The wedding was planned there, when we visited, few years ago. All inside was prepared for this important moment. And how happy the bride is looking, and not only she...

datom1k (4 years ago)
It is not possible to enter the bell tower. There is absolutely no information, just closed tower door.

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