History

(Piazza Civica) - This is a remarkable example of 16th century Catalan-Aragonese architecture with bifores and monofores. In October 1541 it offered hospitality to the Emperor Charles V with his "masnade". Popular tradition has it (although there is no historical record or verification) that on that occasion the monarch of the Sacred Roman Empire defined the town "Bonita, por mi fe` y bien assentada". According to the legend, the sovereign greeted the townsfolk from the balcony window with the words "Estode todos caballeros". In any case the historic Palazzo de Ferrera, since passed to the d'Albis family was the permanent headquarter of the governor of the town and the temporary residence of the Viceroys of Sardinia, who, before taking up post in Cagliari took the oath in Alghero Cathedral.