Alghero Cathedral
Alghero Cathedral, otherwise the Cathedral of St. Mary the Immaculate (Italian: Duomo di Alghero; Cattedrale di Santa Maria Immacolata), is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Alghero in the province of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy. It was the seat of the Bishop of Alghero from 1503 to 1986, and since 1986 has been that of the Bishop of Alghero-Bosa.
Alghero was designated as a diocesan seat in 1503 but construction work on the cathedral did not begin until the 1530s. It was not opened until 1593, and not finished and consecrated until 1730. It 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 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. In the 19th century a Neo-Classical narthex was added to the façade, which dramatically changed its appearance.
Sources and external links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: Alghero
- Catholic Hierarchy: Diocese of Alghero-Bosa
- Website of Diocese of Alghero-Bosa (Italian)
References
- Francesca Segni Pulvirenti, Aldo Sari. Architettura tardogotica e d'influsso rinascimentale. Nuoro, Ilisso, 1994. ISBN 88-85098-31-2
- Salvatore Naitza. Architettura dal tardo '600 al classicismo purista. Nuoro, Ilisso, 1992. ISBN 88-85098-20-7
- Maria Grazia Scano. Pittura e scultura dell'Ottocento. Nuoro, Ilisso, 1997. ISBN 88-85098-56-8
Coordinates: 40°33′33″N 8°18′46″E / 40.5592°N 8.31278°E
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