The Most Important Archaeological Site In Sardinia : Nuraghe of Barumini It is no coincidence that it is the most visited archaeological site in Sardinia; the protohistoric castle, built 3500 years ago that draws gasps from it’s visitors. The Nuraghe, a monumental stone castle with towers of over 20 metres, is unique to Sardinia; you will not find anything like this in any other country though some variations are also found in Corsica. Their purpose is shrouded in mystery: It was probably a fortresses, where the most important people of the community lived, but it is also possible that, over time, the Nuraghe were also used as a temple. The main characteristic of nuraghes is the magnificence of their dome-shaped halls which the Greeks called tholoi. These monumental domes remind us of Atreu's Treasure and Agamemnon's Tomb which legend tells us were designed by the genius of Daedalus's, builder of the famous labyrinth of the Minotaur. Barumini is located in an area of Sardinia calledMarmilla (breast), which signifies the fertility but also to reflect the hilly landscape. Since 1997, the archaeological site of Barumini has been a World Heritage Site and is one of the best preserved among the nuraghis excavated. It was the first to be excavated with scientific criteria from 1950 to 1957 under the direction of Giovanni Lilliu. The nuraghe was excavated after large stones and pottery remains came to the surface during a storm before which, the inhabitants of the village thought only a hill existed. People attended Su Nuraxi (Sardinian Nuraghe) for more than 2000 years (1500 BC. C.-VII AD). Approaching the site you will be astonished at the impressive mass of the nuraghe. The rampart has four towers joined by rectilinear curtain walls and in the middle is the main tower, a three-storey structure with the courtyard opposite, a semilunar open space from which rooms gather light and air. Here, protected by impressive walls, you can feel isolation from the rest of the world. The courtyard can be reached through an elevated entrance situated at a height of 8 metres. Surrounding the fortress there is defence wall made up of seven towers. The nuraghe is surrounded by a big village consisting of more than 200 huts. Life in this settlement started in the XIII century b. C and finished in the VII century a.d., when it was abandonded. The most important of these buildings is certainly room 80, called "Meeting Hut", where important civil and religious assemblies took place. Barumini preserves another surprise: the Zapata palace, a Spanish noble house, that has been transformed into an incredible journey through time. You enter into a noble residence of the sixteenth century and after a few steps, you end up in an era three thousand years earlier. Through the glass floor you get a unique view of a Nuraghe from above. A few kilometers north of Barumini is the Giara, a plateau of volcanic origin covered by forests , characterized by small ponds ( is paulis ) and populated by horses of the Giara , an ancient race that lives only in this fascinating corner of Sardinia, perhaps the last wild horses in Europe. Details of guided tour : Why would you choose a guided visit of Barumini with us? Because we don’t just offer you a guided tour, by a regular guide. Our guide is an archaeologist specialized in prehistoric Sardinia. You can find out all about this site and learn about how people lived in the Bronze Age in Barumini and Sardinia. Duration of guided tour of Barumini: 2 hours Transfer from Cagliari .