Letteratura, progressi igienico-sanitari, riclassificazione portuale nella città di Alghero tra il 19. e 20. secolo

This work is a geographical-historical-environmental study; its aim is to analyze the epidemiological and sanitary conditions in the town of Alghero between the XIX and the XX century, pointing out the decrees, norms and measures that were taken in order to sort out the sanitary problems.The perusal of archival documents makes it clear how the urbanistic structure of the town, surrounded by walls, with narrow lanes full of garbage and tall, narrow, unhealthy overcrowded buildings, played a leading role in the proliferation and spreading of some serious contagious illnesses analysed in this study.Between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the following century, a demoliton of the fortifications began which led to the growth of the built-up area in the adjacent territory. In relation to this aspect, two other subjects have been studied in detail: the harbour’s role, the interventions carried out to improve it and its reclassification, and the “origins” of tourism in Alghero. The latter is represented by the establishment of the first bathing site in northern Sardinia, called “Bagnetto” by the town’s residents. At first, this was a structure used for hydropathic treatments; before long, it changed into a relaxation facility and a tourist attraction thanks to the arrival of the first holiday makers.