Named UNESCO heritage in 1997, Su Nuraxi di Barumini is one of the most critical archaeological traces of the ancient Sardinian civilization, the oldest even date back to the II millennium BC. (Bronze Age). The routes also in other numerous sites offer an excellent way to explore Sardinia in every aspect.
Nuraghi and their mysterious function
Currently, in the Sardinian territory, there are more than 7000 Nuraghi. The term Nuraghe derives from Nur = pile of stones, hollow pile. These are conical trunk-shaped stone constructions. The walls also reach 4 meters wide and can reach a height of over 20 meters. The best known are the tholos nuraghi, with a conical shape and circular chambers and niches inside.
Their function is not entirely clear: they could function as defense structures or lookout towers, but there is no lack of hypotheses for a votive and religious function. They could have been helpful as astronomical observatories.
Routes between the Nuraghi
Among the best-preserved Nuraghi we cannot fail to mention Barumini's Nuraxi. This archaeological area has a large nuragic complex and a series of gabled buildings that surround it.
The archaeological area of Noddule (Nuoro) also has a built-up area and a sacred source that developed around the Nuraghe. Another interesting factor is the presence of a funeral complex near the central tower, unfortunately, destroyed.
The village of Tiscali (Nuoro) is inside a cave on the top of a mountain. It is certainly the most suggestive route, not just for its position but also for the richness of the ancient town's archaeological remains.
In Serra Orrios (Nuoro) in the Gollei mountain are still visible the remains of a village with about a hundred circular huts with wells and standard cisterns. Also interesting are the rests of an adjoining sanctuary composed of small temples.
In the Arrubbiu complex (Cagliari), one of the biggest Nuraghi in Sardinia is a huge central tower 25 meters high surrounded by additional towers. The whole complex was dated between the 14th-9th century BC
In Sassari, we have the Palmavera Complex with two large towers surrounded by a village of 200 huts. The oldest structures date back to the 15th-10th century BC. but the complex continued to grow in the following centuries until a fire in the 8th century BC destroyed the entire town.
Finally, if you want to take a real path among the Nuraghi, you cannot miss a walk in the Valle dei Nuraghi di Sassari in the Logudoru Meilongu locality. Between the XVII and VIII BC,30 nuraghi were built here, accompanied by villages and tombs. It is possible to admire structures of different shapes in this location, from those with tholos plants to single-tower.
Sardinia is therefore not just the sea. The historical routes between the Nuraghi are an excellent tour idea to get to know this area's ancient civilization.