In Sardinia, there are more than 8000 nuraghes, these stone constructions in the shape of a truncated cone unique in their kind and symbols of the island. The Nuragic Civilization ( Civilta Nuragica ) remained in the territory Sardinian from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century BC Many hypotheses exist about the function of the Nuraghe, among which the most credible would be that they would be several such as military, religious or even astronomical functions.
The most famous Nuraghi in northern Sardinia
Sardinia is covered with Nuraghes throughout its territory and among the best known in northern Sardinia we mention the archaeological site of Turris Libissonis, the ancient Porto Torres and the Nuraghe Majore of the Temple of Pausania, in Conca Marina. Near Alghero, there is the nuragic complex of Palmavera, formed by several towers joined together, which preserves in the main tower a central chamber covered with limestone tholos.
In the province of Sassari, in Torralba, is located the Nuraghe Santu Antine with significant dimensions and remarkable architectural features, as well as the Museum of the Valley of the Nuraghes ( Museo della Valle dei Nuraghi ), a plain surrounded by volcanic mountains where you will find evidence of human presence in the Neolithic period. The necropolis would also date from this same period.
In testimony to the history of Sardinia and the people who lived there, in addition to the Nuraghi, other types of buildings and monuments are also present, such as the tombs of the giants ( Tomb of the giganti ), the Domus de Janas (a necropolis) and the sacred wells, linked to the animist cult of water. One of the most famous wells is that of Santa Cristina, in Paulilatino in the province of Oristano, an exceptional example of the construction technique made up of the vestibule, the staircase and the underground chamber with cover of Tholos.
The Nuraghi to visit in the center of Sardinia
Among the Nuraghes of central Sardinia, is the imposing Nuraghe Arrubiu ( Red Nuragha ), in Orrolì in the province of Cagliari, so named for the red coloration due to the lichens that cover it. The complex dates back to 1500 BC and it is the only Nuraghe in Sardinia to have 5 towers placed around the central tower covering a total area of 3000 square meters.
In Ogliastra, you can visit the Complex of Scerì, in Libono, perfectly integrated into the natural environment that includes the Nuraghe, a village and two Domus de Janas. In Osini, the Nuraghe Serbissi is located, built on a limestone plateau where a small village of 8 huts was also built. At the same height, below the level of the Nuraghe, a cave has developed, a spectacular karstic cavern most likely used by the inhabitants of the complex.
The nuragic village of Tiscali, in the province of Nuoro between Oliena and Dorgali, is located on the homonymous hill 518 meters above sea level. In a karstic chasm at the top of the hill, there are the remains of the Nuragic village, concerned by a conservation and restoration project. The site is also visited by trekking enthusiasts with an excursion of about 3 hours. In the countryside of Abbasanta, there is the Nuraghe Losa, one of the best preserved and made up of basalt cove and surrounded by an important perimeter wall.
The most famous Nuraghi in southern Sardinia
In southern Sardinia, don't miss a visit to the Su Nuraxi nuragic complex in Barumini, the largest in Sardinia and in the world. Built around a 4-lobed Nuraghe, the layout is composed of about fifty round huts covered with wooden roofs and branches and connected by a system similar to that of the nuragic sites found below Casa Zapata, in the town of Barumini.
The Gennamaria complex in Villanovaforru is connected inside a wooded park dominating the hill, from where the view overlooks the Gulf of Cagliari to that of Oristano. The 3-lobed Nuraghe and the village are surrounded by a hexagonal outer wall with towers. In Villanovafranca there is the Nuraghe Su Mulinu, a majestic nuragic altar built from blocks of marl, which undergoes 3 phases of construction. In the last phase, a tower was built which was then used for civil and funerary purposes in the Punic, Roman and early Middle Ages.
Close to Cagliari, in Quartu Sant'Elena, is the Nuraghe Diana, in Sardinian Nuraxi Janna (gate). The complex consists of a main tower and two other towers connected to each other by a curtain wall. During the Second World War it was used as a fort, and the area rich in archaeological facilities was used as a border post for the landings, thanks to the favorable position on the gulf and the maritime routes.
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