Nuraghi Sardinia: symbol of the ancient neuralgic civilization
The Nuraghi in Sardinia are physical proof of the ancient Nuragic civilization that lived on the island between the Bronze Age (1800 BC) and the II century AC. A vast mountainous region in the central part of Sardinia called Barbagia has many of these constructions, the Nuragic civilization lived until the VI century AC and created independent communities provoking a later adaptation to Christianity.
According to Giovanni Lilliu, an internationally famous archeologist and expert in Nuragic civilization, the root of the word comes from Nur meaning a “pile of stones, hollow pile”. Giovanni Ugas, archeologists at the University of Cagliari, says the name comes from Nora or Norace, referring to the ancient hero in Sardinian mythology, son of Ermes and Eriteide, daughter of Gerione the giant. Giovanni also thinks the development of the civilization and the construction of Nuraghi in Sardinia passed through 5 phases stretched between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
Nuraghi Sardinia: how are they made and what were they used for
Nuraghi have been included in the list of Human Heritage since 1997, they are monuments built out of dry stone walls and have the shape of a cone, the largest stones are at the bottom and get smaller at the top of the construction so it can reach as much as 20m in height.
The Nuraghi in Sardinia are the result of a precise and mastered technique which allowed these extraordinary constructions to survive for thousands of years, today there more than 7000 distributed all over the island, more or less one every 3 kilometers, but it’s thought that in the past the number of Nuraghi on the island might have been much higher. Most of the Nuraghi look much like a tower, for example the ones in Valle dei Nuraghi in the Logudoro-Meilogu, others are larger and more complex like a fortress with an articulated system of towers and loopholes in the walls.
The different kinds of construction make it necessary to divide them in to two types: protonuraghi or nuraghi “with a corridor” having prevalently horizontal spaces, and nuraghi “ a tholos”. Most nuraghi in Sardinia belong to the second group and have internal spaces with overlapping rooms and covered by a false vault, or by Tholos, made with the “projecting” technique of overlapping rounds of stone towards the top becoming tighter until the structure closes like a dome. Alongside the circular chambers, inside the nuraghi there are also smaller spaces including silos, niches and stores.
They are usually built-in dominant areas and on hilltops, but some are also along the coast and in the middle of flatlands, their function remains a mystery. Some studies attribute them a military and defense functionality, meanwhile, others believe they are astronomical observation towers or places destined for cults and religious practices. An idea widely shared is that the nuraghi in Sardinia had different functions depending on where they were positioned and the environmental contexts.
Nuraghi Sardinia: from Cagliari to Nuoro from Sassari to Oristano
The nuraghi in Sardinia have an important role in the island’s history and add curiosity and mystery to the suggestive, fragrant Sardinian countryside.
These immense stone giants are all over the island’s territory and the main neuralgic sites are in Cagliari, Nuoro, Sassari, and Oristano.
Nuraghi Sardinia: where are they in the area of Cagliari
Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Barumini
Nuraghe Sa Domu and s’Orku in Domusnovas
Nuraghi of Gesico in Gesico
Nuraghe Bruncu Madugui in Gesturi
Nuraghe Goni in Goni
Nuraghe Saurecci or Sa Urecci in Guspini
Nuraghe Su Nuraxi in Sisini
Nuraghe Piscu in Suelli
Complesso of Antigori in Sarroch
Nuraghe Seruci in Gonnesa
Nuraghe Armungia in Armungia
Nuraghe Is Paras in Isili
Nuraghe Arrubiu in Orroli
Nuraghe San Pietro in Ussaramanna
Nuraghe Fenu in Pabillonis
Nuraghe Santu Sciori in Pabillonis
Nuraghi Sardinia: where are they in the area of Nuoro
Nuraghe Ruinas in Arzana
Complesso nuragico Su romanzesu in Bitti
Nuraghe Santa Barbara in Macomer
Complesso of Tamuli on Macomer
Nuraghe Aleri in Tertenia
Nuraghe Orolo in Bortigali
Nuraghe Dovilineò in Orgosolo
Nuraghi Sardinia: where are they in the area of Sassari
Nuraghe Agnu in Calangianus
Nuraghe Tanca Manna or Montesu in Tempio Pausania
Nuraghe Peppe Gallu in Uri
Nuraghe Albucciu in Arzachena
Nuraghe Corvos in Florinas
Nuraghe Palmavera in Alghero
Nuraghi Sardinia: where are they in the area of Oristano
Nuraghe Nolza in Meana Sardo
Complesso of Iloi in Sedilo
Nuraghe Losa in Abbasanta
Nuraghe Abbaudi in Scanu Montiferro
Nuraghe Seneghe in Suni
Nuraghe Cuccurada in Mogoro
