The Ogliastra area is one of the most fascinating in Sardinia, a remote and mysterious place that sees ancient traditions maintained, in a context that sees nature, history and art coexist harmoniously.
Among the 5 blue zones of the world, the historical-geographical region of Ogliastra belongs to the seven Barbagie (in the past it was called Barbagia Trigonia) and is located in the central-eastern part of Sardinia, where it is bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Inhabited since the Neolithic, the region has several archaeological parks of enormous value, where it is possible to admire the famous Nuragic constructions, the menhirs, the domus de janas (prehistoric era tombs dug into the rock) and the tombs of the giants (tombs of the Eta of the Bronze Age reused during the Nuragic era).
The nuraghi not to be missed
The famous and ancient stone buildings, called nuraghi, are perhaps the symbol of the whole of Sardinia, a unique expression of the Nuragic civilization that inhabited the island between 1800 and 1100 BC
Among the approximately 250 nuraghi present in the Ogliastra area we have selected 4 that are worth visiting, let’s see them together.
Nuraghe Unturgiadore
The Nuraghe Unturgiadore, located on the Gennargentu, is an extraordinary example of Nuragic architecture, characteristic of the ancient civilization that populated Sardinia. Located in a strategic position, the nuraghe dominates the surrounding area, offering a suggestive panorama and testifying to the defensive and cultural importance of these structures. Made of massive stone blocks, the site integrates perfectly into the Gennargentu mountain landscape, reflecting the adaptation of local populations to a harsh but fascinating natural environment.
How to reach the Nuraghe Unturgiadore?
To reach Nuraghe Unturgiadore, it is advisable to use a navigator by setting the coordinates Lat: 39.96172 and Lon: 9.35376. The site is located in the municipality of Arzana, from which it is approximately 16 kilometers as the crow flies.
Latitude: 39.96172
Longitude: 9.35376
Nuraghe Ruinas
The Ruinas nuraghe, located at 1200 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Gennargentu, is one of the highest Bronze Age settlements in Sardinia. Nestled in the mountainous landscape of Arzana, near woods and springs, the site includes a vast village with around 200 huts, a Giants’ tomb and perhaps a sacred well. The nuraghe, with a three-lobed layout and a keep up to 8.5 meters high, shows signs of renovation. Some finds suggest continuous attendance until the imperial age. A legend has it that the village was abandoned in the 15th century due to a plague epidemic. The site also offers a trekking trail that leads to the highest peak in Sardinia, Punta la Marmora.
Nuraghe Serbissi
The journey to the Serbissi nuraghe, located on the Taccu di Osini, at almost a thousand meters above sea level, offers a unique experience between history and nature. Nestled between gorges, cliffs and cliffs covered in Mediterranean scrub, the nuraghe, inhabited between the 17th and 10th centuries BC, represents a rare example of a high-altitude nuragic complex. Consisting of a four-tower nuraghe, a village, a cave and two giants’ tombs, it adapts harmoniously to the limestone rock of Taccu. In addition to the well-preserved architecture, the site offers spectacular panoramic views of Ogliastra. According to a legend, San Giorgio created the Scala di San Giorgio, a suggestive gap between the rocks, to facilitate passage across the plateau. Not far away is Osini Vecchio, a ghost town abandoned after the flood of 1951.
Nuraghe Bau’e Tanca
We can find it in Talana, it stands out for its panoramic position and the majesty of the structure, which dominates the plateau below. The remains of the surrounding huts offer further food for thought on the daily life of the Nuragic populations who inhabited these places. The Bau ‘e Tanca nuraghe, located at 1122 meters above sea level in the Talana area, is one of the highest in Sardinia. Even if other nuraghi, such as the Ruinas of Arzana (1197 metres) and the Ura ‘e Sole of Desulo (1331 metres), are located at higher altitudes, Bau ‘e Tanca represents a significant example of nuragic architecture at high altitude. The entrance has a granite architrave with an exhaust window, and the surrounding village bears witness to intense past activity, with circular huts. The site is today surrounded by pastures, where free animals seem to recall ancient village life. Nearby are the remains of a Giants’ tomb.
The archaeological sites
The archaeological heritage of the Ogliastra area is of the highest level, rich and varied: here are the main sites to visit.
Barisardo: Sa Perda Longa and its mysteries
At Barisardo, one of the nerve centers of the region, we find the sacred area of Sa Perda Longa, a place that takes you back in time over four millennia. Here we can admire the menhirs, the ancient megalithic monuments that testify to the ancient cults, flanked by the remains of a pre-Nuragic tomb and altars where sacred rites were celebrated. Imagining the life that took place in this area around 2000 BC, between ceremonies and beliefs, restores a sense of profound connection with the most ancient roots of our history.
Baunei
In Baunei, the landscape transforms into a singular mix of archeology and nature, the Coe Serra nuraghe emerges in all its power with its towers almost intact, dominating a complex of huts whose ruins can be glimpsed among the wild vegetation. Walking among these ancient structures allows you to grasp the ingenuity and mastery of the ancient Nuragic builders, capable of creating resistant and efficiently organized fortifications.
Not far away, the Menhir of San Pietro in Golgo captures attention with the engraving of a human face, a detail that has its roots in ancient cults linked to fertility and the cycle of life. And then there is the Orgoduri nuraghe, surrounded by the remains of an ancient village: here the towers, walls and courtyards tell of community life organized around a nucleus of defensive and religious structures.
Lanusei
In Lanusei, the archaeological area hosts one of the most evocative symbols of the Nuragic civilisation, the giants’ tombs, which we mentioned at the beginning. We are talking about sepulchral monuments, dating back to the 15th century BC, characterized by the presence of a stele, used as a door to access the funerary chamber. The Seleni nuraghe, unfortunately largely disappeared, keeps its base and some remains of the village that surrounded it intact, giving a glimpse of the daily life of those who inhabited these lands thousands of years ago.
Villagrande Strisaili
In Villagrande Strisaili, two archaeological sites of great importance immerse us further in Nuragic spirituality. The Temple of S’arcu e is Forros is an imposing building divided into four rooms, testifying to the complexity of the religious practices of the time. The nearby Temple of Sa Carcaredda, however, is located inside a Nuragic village, surrounded by huts and remains of ancient daily activities, a case capable of establishing a strong connection between the sacred, profane, cult and domestic life.
Lotzorai
The mystery deepens in Lotzorai, where the Domus de Janas, also known as “fairy houses”, have always aroused the interest of scholars and visitors. These are underground tombs, dug into the rock, and used as collective burials. The internal structure, characterized by funerary chambers, reflects the connection between the world of the living and that of the dead, expressing religious beliefs that have their roots in distant and mysterious eras.
Seui
Moving to Seui, you will find the Ardasa nuraghe, perched on a rocky promontory that dominates the surrounding area. From its central tower you can observe the remains of the Nuragic village below, with huts and even a sacred spring. The panorama enjoyed from the top of the nuraghe makes it clear why the ancient inhabitants chose this place as a strategic point of control and protection.
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