La Sardegna cresce con l’Europa - Territory

Necropolis of Archaeological area Project jointly funded by the European Union Is Pirixeddus of Monte Sirai Operational programme ERDF 2007 – 2013 Sant’Antioco Carbonia EUROPEAN UNION ERDF - European Regional Development Fund - Axis I, Activity line 1.2.3.a.

REPUBBLICA ITALIANA

P.O.R. ERDF 2007-2013, Line 1 “Information Society”, Specific Goal 1.2. “Promoting and developing the information society with a particular attention to those key aspects that will sustain the development of the territory and the quality of life, as health, education and the promotion of culture”, Operational Goal 1.2.3. “Increasing the production of the digital contents”, Action Line of 1.2.3.a. “Actions for the production, publication and sharing on the web and on new media (DTV, mobile T, etc.) of digital contents concerning Sardinia’s culture, literature, music, territory and images for a social fruition”.

Cultural heritage

We thank the Superintendence for the Architectural, Landscape, Historical, Artistic and Ethno- Sulcis-Iglesiente Anthropological Heritage for the metropolitan city of and for the provinces of , Medio Campidano, Carbonia-Iglesias and Ogliastra for the kind cooperation. Territory

Necropolis of Is Pirixeddus | S. Antioco

Archaeological area of Monte Sirai | Carbonia

Cultural heritage Unicity Srl: Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Coordination and Production 3D and 3D Render Reconstruction Sulcis-Iglesiente and Production Virtual Guided Territory Visits and Virtual Views Production Communication and Multimedia

Necropolis of Testaluna Srl: Is Pirixeddus 3D Planning and Interactivity Text: Mrs. Cinzia Olianas Polonord Adeste Srl: Archaeological area USB Pendrive Production of Monte Sirai Text: Mrs. Giuseppina Manca di Mores Imago Multimedia Snc: Mr. Marcello Madau Texts, Graphics and Photographs of the sites inside the Digital and Paper Guide Cultural heritage sites FSG Sas - Unicity Srl: Cultural heritage Text: Mr. Giulio Concu Interactive multimedial stations and Mrs. Claudia Cocco technical support The project “Cultural heritage Sardegna Virtual Archaeology”

he archaeological and architectonic immaterial aspects can be easily found and heritage of Sardinia offers a lot of they are fundamental elements of the Tunusual traits compared to the other nowadays Sardinian identity heritage. The Mediterranean territories. Its peculiarities essential aspects of the Sardinian are concentrated in particular between the archaeology and architecture are well known, late pre-history and the proto-history and even if in a partial way, thanks to those have their apex in the . excellent examples of the Nuragic complex However, some other distinctive historical- of or the Romanesque church of time features of Sardinia come from the Saccargia, which are already part of a significant presence of the Phoenician, common heritage ; but in a world where Punic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. A gathering information is relatively simple, the new and specific culture arose from the public administration has the duty of interaction of the local culture with those presenting the culture of Sardinia in an outer civilizations: its material and objective and complete way, so that it could be available for any kind of experts and or any people without experience. That is why innovative educational products connected the R.A.S. ( Regional Administration of to the Sardinian places of culture, creating an Sulcis-Iglesiente Sardinia) has chosen to stimulate the integrated system of sites and monuments spectacular aspects of some of the main that will be rebuilt with the use of the most archaeological and architectonic remains, recent 3D technologies. So, the Sardinian which were already built in dramatic heritage will be available for any kind of user landscapes that could fascinate even the through high quality products characterized least interested visitor. But the real challenge by fascinating graphics and rich interactive lies in contextualizing the archaeological sites information. With these purposes, seventeen in their cultural environment. The idea comes sites among the most significant of the from the concept that the remains of ancient Sardinian history and culture, deployed in cultures can “tell a story” when they are eight areas of interests , have been virtually “examined” all together, as if they were the reconstructed with three-dimensional and pages of a book that otherwise would be realistic features , as a result of an accurate incomprehensible at the end. Basically, the research on the bibliographic and project aims to illustrate a monument or a cartographic material. The digital site showing the reasons why it is interesting reconstructions meet those reconstructive not just for itself but also and above all for its hypotheses that have been validated by the importance in the surrounding cultural and scientific and academic community and that natural environment. This aspect is essential originate from the excavations, the field and useful for the interpretation of the today researches, the historical-archaeological and world: it helps us to understand why we artistic studies. Therefore, the 3D should preserve our archaeological and reconstructions offer the highest degree of architectonical heritage , beyond its fidelity to the original building or site, monumentality and although pertinent to reproducing the surrounding natural cultures, as for instance the Roman one, that landscape and the archaeological are usually considered extraneous to the environment with the external structures, the identitarian inheritance. The ways through inner spaces and real-life settings. The which this kind of knowledge should be ultimate digital product will be available at spread, are set depending on the media to some of the most important cultural places of which they are addressed for its fruition. Still, Sardinia, as for instance museums and the available products will go beyond the universities, and at the so-called “access mere didactic presentation of the site to points”, that are specific public spaces where come to a wider and complete description the interactive multimedia posts will be from all cultural points of view. installed and accessible to all visitors. Moreover, the product will be available on Content and purpose of the project digital support to be distributed during conventions, fairs, forum and tourism The project “Sardinian Virtual Archaeology exhibitions. In fact, the specific purpose of Cultural Heritage” was set up with the aim to the RAS’ “Linea di Attività 1.2.3.a” aims to enhance the so-called “Homogeneous increase the production, divulgation and System of Visual Identity” that the R.A.S. has sharing of digital contents referring to already started with the main purpose to Sardinian cultural assets, so to improve the create an instrument of safeguard and knowledge of the diverse users and to promotion of the Sardinian cultural heritage. enhance the education of the different Besides, the project contributes to the segments of students, in view of a useful improvement of the scientific, didactic and socio-cultural repercussion on the territory. Mining of , Masua

6 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology General map of Sardinia Sulcis-Iglesiente territory

Olbia

Porto Torres Iglesias Gallura

Alghero Sassarese Iglesiente Nuoro

Nuorese Monte Sirai Oristanese Carbonia Oristano Ogliastra Sulcis

Is Pirixeddus Sant’Antioco

Medio Campidano Cagliaritano Iglesias

Cagliari Iglesiente Carbonia Monte Sirai Sulcis Is Pirixeddus Sant’Antioco

Necropolis Archaeological area of Is Pirixeddus of Monte Sirai (Sant’Antioco) (Carbonia) Sant’Antioco • Necropolis of the urban settlement, whose tombs were of Is Pirixeddus carved inside a rocky hill. What you can see and partially visit today is the remain of a Punic necropolis that was used about from he ancient Punic inhabitants of Sulky , the end of the 6 th -5 th century to the 3 rd the actual town of Sant’Antioco, used century B.C. Afterwards the necropolis was Tto bury their dead at a necropolis out reused by the Romans during the Republican

↑↓ Reconstruction of one sector of the necropolis of Is Pirixeddus ↓ Panoramic reconstruction of the entrance dròmoi

Reconstruction of the burial chambers carved into the outcrop

10 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 11 Age (between the 2 nd and the 1 st century B.C.) catacomb by connecting some of the burial (arcosolium tomb); sometimes these tombs 1) the catacombs of Sant’Antioco; and also during the Imperial Age (at least chambers and creating new burial spaces, like were decorated with paintings. The two 2) the catacombs of Santa Rosa, under the during the entire 1 st century B.C.). Later, since rectangular graves into the floor or recesses main nucleuses of the sepulchral galleries same parish church but very small being the 4 th -5 th century A.D., the old necropolis into the walls to obtain a sarcophagus are under the parish church of Sant’Antioco formed by just two rooms. was transformed by the first Christians into a surmounted sometimes by a small arch and they are: Another small nucleus of the old necropolis,

↑ Reconstruction of the arcosolium ↓ Entrance to some tombs converted ↑ A Roman cappuccina tomb ↓ A cappuccina tomb and a box grave ↓ sepulchre of Is Pirixeddus ↓ into houses at the hypogeal village

12 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 13 in the area called Is Pirixeddus , was reused as Seventies of the 19 th century) and it includes necropolis has remained almost intact in the visitors the most common kind of tomb that a catacomb that keeps a decorated the houses of the hypogeal village. Some same area of Is Pirixeddus : it is situated on the was used inside this funerary area: the arcosolium tomb. Another area of the tombs were also used as cellars and storage eastern and north-eastern slopes of the hill at hypogeal-chamber tomb, provided with an necropolis was reused during the modern age closets and still today they serve this useful the top of which stands the Piedmont’s entrance corridor, named dromos , and of a and until recent times (the end of the purpose. A sector of the original Punic blockhouse of Su Pisu . It keeps and shows to staircase, which led to a ledge just before the

↑↓ Burial chamber of the necropolis converted into a house ↑ Fortress of Su Pisu , entrance side ↓ Fortress of Su Pisu , the courtyard

14 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 15 entrance to the tombs. They used to bring the burial chamber since the small size of its could be decorated both with rough sculpted of the second tomb were decorated with a the dead, laid down on a wooden litter, entrance. The chamber sometimes was architectonic elements and with some high- life-size high-relief representing a human through the corridor and then they placed sculpted or finely decorated. The burial relieves. This is the case of two tombs, one figure portrayed as an Egyptian man wearing them into the burial room; they used to set chamber could be formed by a big room discovered in 1968 and the other in 2002: the Egyptian clothes. He is depicted while up a sarcophagus straight at the interior of divided by a partition wall, whose façade partition wall of the first and the central pillar walking solemnly, with his right arm on his

↑ Reconstruction of the depositions inside ↓ Reconstruction of one of the burial ↑ one of the burial chambers ↑ chambers with a single entombment

Entrance corridor to one of the burial chambers of the necropolis of Is Pirixeddus

16 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 17 chest and his left arm along his body, with a bodies in the course of time (like the sepulchre so they got some new chambers digging new the oldest kind of funerary chamber. The beard, wearing a short kilt and the typical called “of the winged goddess”, inside of which levels inside the old tombs. In addition to the dead were set down inside the burial chamber, handkerchief often depicted in the they found about fifteen entombments), hypogeum-type tomb with the wide chamber wrapped up in a shroud or a tunic, on a iconography of the Egyptian personalities. particularly when the hypogea were too busy divided by a partition wall, it was also common wooden litter or inside a sarcophagus and The tombs could host one or more dead and there was no other space for new burials; the single-room hypogeum, that represents with their trousseau and all the objects of the

↑ Haut-relief of the Egyptian-style ↓ Reconstruction of the sepulchre of the Egyptian-style ↑ Reconstruction of the sepulchre of the Egyptian-style ↓ Reconstruction of the sepulchre of the “winged goddess” ↓ personality inside sepulchre n. 7 ↓ personality (from the northern-western side) ↓ personality (from the southern-eastern side)

18 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 19 funeral rite, like for instance terracotta jewels (rings, necklaces and earrings), razors crockery, terracotta or polychrome glass and other kinds of things that help to reveal lachrymatories and their personal objects, like if the dead was a man or a woman and glassy or pearl amulet necklaces, beetles, sometimes even what they did in their life. •

↑ Entrance to an archaic-style sepulchre with a quadrangular plan ↓ Interior of the archaic-style burial chamber ↑ Reconstruction of a Punic burial ↓ A burial chamber at the hypogeal village

20 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 21 Carbonia • Archaeological opposite you can have a complete view on area of Monte Sirai the city of Carbonia and to the inwards routes leading to the areas of wheat and metals. The site of Monte Sirai, which was populated since he site of Monte Sirai is the doorway the pre-historical and the Nuragic ages, to the history of Sardinia, the stretches with a thick building structure on the Trepresentation of the memory of the plateau at the top of a hill and it was wittingly places in the region of Sulcis: southwards chosen for its landscape characteristics and there is the island of Sant’Antioco and the possibility of an intense use of the westwards there is the island of San Pietro; habitable land. A necropolis and the sacrificial

↑ The islands of S. Antioco and of S. Pietro ↓ View of Carbonia from the acropolis of Monte Sirai ↑ from the acropolis of Monte Sirai

Aerial view of Monte Sirai

22 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 23 area known as “tophet” are at a brief distance squares, connecting streets and a temple. and the Phoenician people, as attested by the as the so-called “Casa di tufo”: these are but separated from the acropolis. A fortified The religious area of the temple of Ashtart archaeological finds. Several edifices have houses built with sturdy walls, wall bases and entrance leads to the settlement, organised in was built on the remains of a Nuragic area been excavated so far, as the complex “Casa façades – sometimes with a framework – or quarters dedicated to private and public and it was used for centuries on. This Fantar”, “Casa Amadasi”, “Casa del lucernario clay brick walls, and sometimes they present scopes: the first quarters is characterized by monument is one of the most symbolic di talco”, and some others that are disclosing even two storeys and an inner courtyard. The houses and workshops, the second by small evidence of the relations between the Nuragic their secrets to the knowledge and the fruition oldest phases of the settlement – proceeded

↑ Reconstruction of the acropolis of Monte Sirai ↓ Reconstruction of the settlement of Monte Sirai ↑ Reconstruction of the temple of Ashtart ↓ Phoenician bronze statuette with a Nuragic-shaped jug

→ Statue of Ashtart

24 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 25 by Neolithic and Nuragic remains with Punic Giorgio of and the Island of S. plateau: during this phase they built the Corinth. The successive phase, which began and Roman traces that have still to be Pietro where they found typical Phoenician archaic incineration necropolis, where the with the conquest of Sardinia by Carthage defined in their arrangement, out of the built- red slip ceramics, locally produced pots, dead were cremated and the remains were during the final decades of the 6 th century up area – are dated back to the 8 th century sculptures, bronze statues and amulets. In kept inside the classical trilobed-rim or B.C. until the first half of the 4 th century B.C., B.C. This old horizons find confirmation in the following 7 th and 6 th centuries B.C., an mushroom-shaped jugs, precious decorative is not easily recognisable in the buildings the coeval and nearby areas of S. Antioco, S. intense building activity affected the entire objects linked to magic, Greek ceramics from because of the superimposition of the

↓ Chamber tomb n. 5 with the reconstruction ↑ Reconstruction of “Casa Fantar” ↓ “Casa Fantar” ↑ Reconstruction of “Casa del lucernario di talco” ↓ of the burial trousseau

26 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 27 different cultures, although it is well maximum expansion between the 4 th and the important areas northward of the acropolis, Punic-age chamber tombs with interesting documented by Punic strip ceramics, some 2nd century B.C., between the Late Punic age with an extraordinary chronological, architectonic and decorative solutions (like pots from Athens with red and black figures, and the Roman Republican Age, when the typological and spatial sequence: from the stone masks and the symbol of the Goddess commercial amphorae, illustrated terracotta entire settlement took the today-visible area of the Phoenician tombs (mainly fossa Tinnit carved on a pillar of Tomb 5). These an by the coeval hypogeic necropolis. The urban structure and the sanctuary- tophet was tombs with the cremation rite and with the tombs were destined to the most powerful settlement of Monte Sirai reached its open. The necropolises are located in three interment rite to a lesser extent) to the families. In some other tombs the

↓ Decorated pillar with the upside-down symbol of the ↑ Reconstruction of the acropolis of Monte Sirai ↓ Reconstruction of the settlement of Monte Sirai ↑Reconstruction of the settlement of Monte Sirai ↓ goddess Tinnit inside the chamber tomb n. 5

28 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 29 archaeologists found amphora burials, other tophet was a sacred area reserved to the being linked to it, and that the site was different kind and some effigies in Egyptian incinerations, tombs with a double deposition of the urns with the children’s gradually more populated. The excavations and Greek style or with simpler motifs. A entombment; it is also attested the use of the remains, a recurring sacrificial rite following have revealed its configuration and have small temple was built on the tophet area Phoenician crematory area for children some researchers, a place for premature attested its frequentation from the half of the characterised by some rooms and reachable burials, pertaining to a successive phase but deaths or miscarriages following some others; 4th to the end of the 2 nd century B.C. The area through some steps and a ramp. The built-up probably coming from the previous culture. in any case, the ceremony provided for a of the depositions was composed of about area of Monte Sirai was abandoned since the The graveyards lie in a gradually wider area as purification sacrifice through fire. According four hundred identical urns containing the first decades of the 1 st B.C., but it was a consequence of the demographic increase to tradition, the tophet was topographically ashes of the dead babies that were covered repopulated during the Late Antiquity and its and the necessity of new spaces, showing the set up at the edge of the built-up area by small plates and then buried. Some of structures were levelled between the 6 th and presence of different cultural traditions. The although it is a proof of the urban culture, them were marked by a stone stele of the 7 th century A.D. •

Reconstruction of the sanctuary tophet

30 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 31 Sulcis-Iglesiente territory | Cultural Heritage sites village of fishers and peasants Phoenician-Punic findings, found the oldest evidence of situated at the southern while the ground floor hosts the Sardinian Early Neolithic; extremity of the island of exhibitions of contemporary inside the present urban area, Sant’Antioco and immersed in art. Also interesting is the in the locality of Cannas di a natural and uncontaminated Civic Museum of sotto , they brought to light a environment. The territory contemporary art . From the necropolis dated back to keeps lots of Nuragic and harbour set sail the ferries to 2000 B.C. Along the state 01. • Mining site shop, a Museum of the Miner Acquaresi and that of Punic evidence. The name of the town of , with road to Sant’Antioco, a detour of Porto Flavia has been set up to gather Montecani you reach the the village probably comes which share the on the right leads to the top of Founded in 1864, the village of fossils, minerals, tools and mine village of Masua , where from “Cala di seta” (the silk same Ligurian origins. In the Monte Sirai, where there is Buggerru developed quickly archaeological findings. Inside they extracted zinc, galena bay), which was the name of island they produce also one of the most important thanks to the activity of the the same carpenter’s shop, on and blend and where the the area in front of the actual vintage wines and there is a archaeological sites of the mine of Malfidano , where 4th September 1904, took spectacular Pan di Zucchero harbour where they fished the rich gastronomic tradition. Mediterranean area, the they extracted lead and zinc. place the first miners’ union stands, probably the highest bivalve pinna nobilis , from Phoenician-Punic fortress of The mine closed down in 1977 revolt in Sardinia caused by sea stack of Europa (m 133). In which they obtained the bisso 03. Carbonia • Main Sirai . The strategic position of and now it is part of the Geo- the miserable working the mine site of Masua you (a sort of fine linen). The monuments the hill, overlooking the sea Mining, Historical and conditions, during which three can visit the engineering works coastline is characterized by Carbonia is the chief town of between the islands of San Environmental park of workers were killed. of Porto Flavia , a loading white sand beaches, like the the region of Sulcis and it lies Pietro and of Sant’Antioco, did Sardinia. Abandoned plants, Northwards, the beach of point for the minerals that famous spiaggia Grande , the in an area that is really not pass unnoticed to the galleries and wells tell its Buggerru arrives to the beach were extracted in the nearby beach of Salina and the important from a geological, Nuragic people, who were the of San Nicolò and a dune historical and archaeological system among the vastest of point of view. The subsoil is the Mediterranean area. rich in charcoal formations Southwards, the road runs dated back to the Eocene era

Mining site of Porto Flavia Pan di Zucchero Savoy tower Necropolis of Sirai intense industrial story. The mines: planned by the beach of Sottotorre . The first to use the area. In the 8 th structures on the hill declining Cala Domestica engineer Cesare Vecelli, it was village was founded in the 17 th Fortress of Sirai century B.C. the Phoenicians to the shore are of particular made in 1924 on a sheer cliff century by a group of Ligurian of Sulky built a village, after interest, with the remains of along Cala di Buggerru , where boring for 600 metres inside colons coming from the island and represents the most conquered by the Laveria Lamarmora and there is a small tourist the mountain. The project of , and is known as important Italian coal basin. Carthaginians and then Laveria Malfidano. Near the harbour, then the coastline revolutionised the loading “La Bianca” (the white town) Although Carbonia is the suddenly abandoned during harbour there is the exit of the becomes higher and the cliffs system for minerals, until then because of the colours of its youngest town of Sulcis, it was the Roman Imperial Age. Most Henry Gallery , through which are interrupted only by the practised by the boatmen houses. A stout tower built by curiously born few kilometres of the ruins belong to the they carried the minerals to bay of Cala Domestica , (galanzè ) of Carloforte. the Savoia dominates the far from some of the oldest Punic Age, with a public area the loading point. Opposite protected by a Spanish tower village: it was built with the humans’ settlements of dominated by the temple of the harbour, inside the and one of the most 02. Calasetta • Savoy use of volcanic blocks in 1756 Sardinia: inside the rock Ashtart , the civil and building that was used as fascinating beaches of tower and today hosts an shelter of Su Carroppu , administrative heart of the workshop and as carpenter’s Sardinia. Beyond the mine of Calasetta is an enchanting archaeological collection with nearby Sirri, the archaeologists village. The main attraction is

32 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 33 the Punic necropolis , with 13 Serbariu. The expectation of Littoria tower and the church most important museum is Sardinia by the ferries that set settled in 1542 to fish coral. shaft graves that still have an intense mining activity of San Ponziano, with its the Coal Mining Museum , sail from Portovesme and During the first period of the their sarcophagi and sacred suggested the foundation of a trachyte bell tower inspired to hosted in the restored Calasetta . The island is one of colonization, they built sculpted decorations in place, new city close to the mines that of Aquileia and an structures of the mine of the most uncontaminated massive city walls to protect among which the well-known and to the harbour of inscription dedicated to the Serbariu and that gathers a places in the Mediterranean the fort, the church and the upside-down symbol of the Sant’Antioco to quarter the workers who built the church collection of tools and area; it was inhabited since the governors’ house. New colons goddess Tanith . Downhill workers that would arrive from in the “3 rd year of the Empire”. documents and inside some Nuragic age. There are several came from and from there is the Punic tophet , with all around . The new city Today the square is adorned faithfully-built rooms shows evidence of the Phoenician the island of Ponza to fish a temple and an area called was built in just two years and by the Gio’ Pomodoro’s the evolution of the coal and Punic ages, particularly tuna and coral and to work in “Campo d’Urne ” (Field of was inaugurated by Mussolini sculpture “Fragments of void”. mining techniques used from some housing structures and the saltworks. The ship traffic Urns). At the southern foot of in 1938. During the post-war The urban structure around the Thirties of last century some necropolises. The island grew during the last century the hill stands an evidence of the town centre reflects the until the suspension of the thanks to the export of the the pre-existing Nuragic hierarchy of roles in the production. Along the state minerals extracted in the colonization: the imposing mining system: from “Villa road to Iglesias there are the Sulcis and the Iglesiente areas. Sirai (15 th century Sulcis”, the director’s house, hamlet of Flumentepido , with Today the town is a tourist B.C.), a complex monument you go to the managers’ the church of Santa Maria resort thanks to its with a main tower and four houses, then to the dated back to the 11 th century, uncontaminated environment secondary ones that are employees’ and the workers’ the hamlet of Cortoghiana , a and the seafaring traditions oriented to the cardinal houses. At the centre of the mining village inaugurated in that are jealously kept alive.

Piazza Roma View from Forte

Tophet Coal Mining Museum Natural monument of Le Colonne Church of S. Carlo Borromeo points, and a village. The city there are three important 1942 nearby a coal mine and of The urban structure of the origins of the present city are Littoria tower museums: the Archaeological which you can still admire the Centro storico town shows its Ligurian origin. much more recent. The Museum of Villa Sulcis , urban rationalist structure, On Lungomare Battellieri quarter of Serbariu was the period, Carbonia became the which gathers findings from and the mining village of Bacu was called “Inosim” (island of and Lungomare Cavour first core of the village: it was third Sardinian city with more the Neolithic to the Roman Abis , where they mined the the sparrowhawks) and the looks out the 17 th -18 th -century founded during the 18 th than 60000 inhabitants. Its age, the Museum of coal until the Sixties of last legend has it that Peter the buildings. In the square century by joining several urban structure is a good Palaeontology and century apostle landed here after a Piazza della Repubblica there isolated rural settlements example of the Fascist Speleology “E. A. Martel” , shipwreck. The town of is the church of San Carlo (furriadroxius ), then it was architecture, with wide tree- with fossil remains from the 04. Carloforte • Island of Carloforte was founded in Borromeo , built after 1738 in raised to the rank of lined boulevards centring on Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tertiary San Pietro 1738 by some Ligurian fishers Baroque-Neoclassical style. municipality in 1853. Here, in Piazza Roma , where there are and Quaternary ages and a The village of Carloforte is the that came from the island of Nearby stands the oratory of 1936, the geologists found the the Town Hall, the Central speleological and bio- only town in the island of San Tabarka, off the coast of Madonna dello Schiavo . The wide coal deposit of Sirai- Theatre, the Dopolavoro, the speleological section. The Pietro, which is linked to , where they had Carlo Emanuele III Fort today

34 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 35 hosts the Civic Museum , beach of Lucchese there is reached on foot with difficulty. 05. • Nuraghe some rows of stones up to leads to the foot of Monte which keeps the documents of the islet of Geniò . Here To reach the stretch of coast Sa Domu ’e S’Orcu 3.70 m of height. Around the Marganai . Inside the state the foundation of Carloforte begins the wild western coast, around Cape Sandalo you The village of Domusnovas complex there are the remains forest of Marganai-Oridda and several evidence of the with its 150-m-high cliffs, deep have to cross the island going lies in the plain of the river of the village of circular huts. there are some important tuna fishing in the Sulcis inlets and grottoes. back to Carloforte. So, you can Cixerri, dominated by Punta During the Roman age, abandoned mines: Barraxiutta, region. At the southern edges Continuing northwards, there reach Cape Sandalo , an area San Michele (m 906). Its Domusnovas was an Sa Duchessa, Tiny and Arenas of the town there is the is the cliff of Mezzaluna and of great environmental and territory keeps lots of important village along the and that of Malacalzetta. church of Novelli Innocenti , the inlet of La Conca , landscape importance, evidence of the old human road Kalaris-Sulki ; its territory erected in the 18 th century on enclosed by high trachyte characterized by high cliffs presence. The most important was intensely exploited 06. • a previous sacred place cliffs. Beyond Punta and Mediterranean scrub Nuragic site is Nuraghe Sa because it was rich in silver Temple of Antas dedicated to the memory of and the ideal environment for Domu ’e S’Orcu , few lead. The Pisans surrounded The village of some children who, legend has the reproduction of the kilometres far from the village. Fluminimaggiore is situated in it, were travelling in 1212 Eleonor’s falcon. On the top Built in the 17 th -11 th century the valley of the river Mannu, towards the Holy Land to take of Cape Sandalo stands the B.C. with the use of roughly- among thick holm-oak forests. part in the fifth Crusade but westernmost lighthouse of shaped limestone blocks of The village was founded in the unfortunately shipwrecked on Italy. The northern cliffs open medium and big size, it was but it was the coasts of the island and on the green waters of two inhabited at least until the 10 th abandoned and then died. South of Carloforte there unmissable inlets: Cala Fico century B.C. The complex is refounded in 1704 by the are the disused saltworks , and Cala Vinagra . Eastwards made of a central tower viscount Ignazio Asquer. which are the habitat for there are the wild cliffs of enclosed by a trilobed bastion Between the 19 th and the 20 th

Beach of Lucchese Monte Marganai

Beach of La Bobba Sa Domu ’e s’Orcu Grotto of S. Giovanni Temple of Antas numerous species of birds. Tacche Bianche , the inlets and surrounded by a century the mining activity Beyond the tower of San Beach of Punta Nera of Calalunga and La Punta , pentalobed compound wall. Grotto of Su Mannau was the main resource. In the Vittorio , seat of an the northern extreme of the The main tower is just 4.50 m village you can visit the astronomic observatory, a Spalmatore you reach the island and really fascinating high. The linteled entrance is the village with walls and built Archaeological Museum and series of paths lead to the only beach of the western because the presence of an still partially underground. On a castle. The 11 th -century the Palaeontological white sandy beaches: you can coast, Caletta or Cala dello old tuna-fishing village . the right of the entry corridor church of Santa Barbara , Museum . Inside the 18 th - reach the beaches of Giunco , Spalmatore , protected by a Just before La Punta there starts the staircase that led to many times restored, is the century Licheri Water Mill , Girin , Punta Nera , Guidi and system of dunes. The gulf of is the Piana island , where the upper floors but that only evidence of the medieval they have set up an La Bobba . This last is closed Becco , between Punta dei there was another important presently is obstructed by village. The surroundings of ethnographic exhibition. westwards by the natural Cannoni and Punta di Capo tuna-fishing village, fallen stones. The bastion the village are really Along the state road S.S.126 monument of Le Colonne , Rosso, is perhaps the most founded in 1698 and now includes a courtyard from interesting: the well-known to Iglesias there are the mines two famous and spectacular uncontaminated area in the transformed into a which you could reach the grotto of San Giovanni is of Su Zurfuru and Gutturu trachyte stacks. Before the island even if it can be tourist resort. lateral towers, that keeps entirely crossed by a road that Pala . Near the mines of

36 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 37 Candiazzus , a detour leads to back to the Augustan Age, the beach of Portixeddu leads to Marta , whose original built in Romanesque style in Nuragic settlements of the grotto of Su Mannau , second to the 3 rd century A.D, the territory of Buggerru. structures date back to the 11 th the 13 th century but restored Sardinia. It was erected with with a tourist itinerary, inside when an inscription dedicated century. In short time you can many times. The remains of the use of big trachyte blocks of which they found some to Caracalla was put on the 07. Giba • Nuragic complex reach the beach of Porto the mines of Sedda on the top of the hill of Seruci, votive lamps dedicated to the pediment. The temple has of Meurra Botte , where the Aragonese Modditzis , Monte Onixeddu an important trade area in goddess Tanith and to the god some steps and a podium and Looking into the gulf of landed in 1323 with about one and Monte San Giovanni are ancient times because it was Taurus. Another farther it is divided in pronaos, cella Palmas, the small village of hundred ships to conquer the really spectacular. Along the very rich in metal and mineral deviation leads to the most and adyton. The pronaos has Giba lies near the lake of island. From Porto Botte state road to Iglesias, a detour deposits. The complex important and fascinating site four columns on the façade Monte Pranu. There is lots of towards Porto Pino stretches leads to the beaches of Plag’e overlooks a wide region, from in the territory of and one on each side with evidence of the human the third widest marsh area of Mesu and of Sa Punta ’e Monte Sirai to the island of Fluminimaggiore: the Punic- Attic bases and Ionic capitals. presence in the territory since Sardinia, with the ponds of S’Arena . On the right of the Sant’Antioco in the south, and Roman Temple of Antas . It is On the pediment inscription the Nuragic age. The most Porto Botte and Baiocca , a same road there is the wide the Gulf of Leone in the north. a truly unique monument the Romans carved the words: important site is the complex really important habitat It stretches for about six unlike any other in Sardinia, of Nuraghe Meurra , which thanks to the presence of the hectares and its primary built using blocks of local includes a polilobed nuraghe flamingo, the heron, the sultan structures date back to the limestone. It stands on a site erected during the 12 th century chicken and the marsh hawk. Late Bronze Age. It includes previously used by the B.C. and the remains of a an imposing nuraghe, with its Nuragic people, probably village of circular huts, some 08. • Nuragic main tower surrounded by a dedicated to the worship of giants’ tombs and a sacred complex of Seruci five-tower curtain wall, a ancestors; then it was used well. There are also many At a brief distance from the village of about one hundred during the Iron Age, as

Beach of Portixeddu Church of S. Andrea

“TEMPL(um) DIE SARDI marsh of Sa Masa , the most PATRIS BAB”, a dedication to important marsh area of the the god named “Sardus Pater” territory. The beach at the and identifiable with “Sid southern edge of the long Babai”, the Carthaginian god beach of Gonnesa is called Sid. The cella presents some Porto Paglia : it can be pillars leaning against the reached by a detour from the Temple of Antas walls, while the floor has still Church of S. Marta Nuragic complex of Seruci state road S.S.126 Portoscuso- Village of Porto Paglia its white mosaic drawings. On Seruci, through a steep slope documented by a series of the rear wall of the cella there traces of the Roman and homonym gulf, the village of that offers a fantastic huts, three giants’ tombs and a shaft graves just close to the are two doors that lead to the Punic presence, since the Gonnesa was founded in the panorama on the gulf; it is a circular compound wall. The podium, in one of which double-room adyton provided territory was crossed by the Middle Ages but was wild and fascinating area, with huts gather to form quarters archaeologists found a bronze with two rectangular cisterns. road Karalis -Sulki abandoned during the the high dunes of Is Arenas separated by narrow streets Nuragic statuette featuring The archaeologists found also (Sant’Antioco). Some Aragonese domination. It was and the restored tuna-fishing leading to a central square. the Punic god Sid. During the the ruins of a Nuragic village researchers suppose that Giba refounded in 1774 by the village, that once was one of The ruins of a quarter called Punic Age the temple had an and of a Roman road in the was founded by the Vandals nobleman Gavino Asquer the most important of “Isolato A” include eleven important role, as witnessed area. Northwards from around the 6 th century when Amat and since the half of the Sardinia. Not far from the housing buildings. At the by the numerous Punic ex- Fluminimaggiore you can numerous African slaves from 19 th century the activity of the detour to Porto Paglia, inside centre of the village there is votos founded in the area. The easily reach Capo Pecora and Mauritania were deported in coal mining supported its the territory of the hamlet of the so called “Sala del present structure was erected its wild environment of rocks this area of the island. Along development. The only Nuraxi Figus, stands the big Consiglio” (Council Hall), a during the Roman period in shaped by the wind. the road to the gulf there is evidence of the Middle Ages is Nuragic complex of di Seruci , large hut with thick walls and a two phases: the first dates Southwards, the beautiful the small church of Santa the church of Sant’Andrea , one of the most imposing stone bench running along the

38 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 39 inside wall, probably the heart town statute, the so-called Iglesiente areas. East of the keeps some 13 th -century important of Italy, where they Barbara , just inside the of the settlement’s civil life. “Breve di Villa di Chiesa”, now square, on the hill of Altai, elements on the facade, extracted lead and zinc until Carolina Well. kept at the Town Archive. In there are the remains of the among which a marvellous the Seventies of last century. 09. Iglesias • Main 1324 the town was taken by Castle of Salvaterra (or of Gothic single-lancet window. Among the imposing 10. • Nuraghe monuments force by the Aragonese and San Guantino ). Some remains You can also visit the buildings in ruins stand out Fais The history of Iglesias, the during the Spanish of the Pisan city walls are still Mineralogy Museum , hosted the Sella and the Vittorio At a short distance from the chief town of the Iglesiente domination it passed through visible in Via Eleonora in a Liberty building. At the Emanuele Wells ; the 19 th - gulf of Palmas, the village of region, has always been tied to a long period of decay until d’Arborea, while the southern entry of the city century Palazzo Bellavista Masainas was founded during the mining industry. Although the middle of the 19 th century, Aragonese crenellated walls there is the church of San hosts a university Materials the 17 th -18 th century around the intense mining activity, the when a new phase of are visible in Via Campidano. Salvatore , one of the few Science course. Northwards the church of San Giovanni surrounding environment is prosperity was brought about Walking along Corso cross-plan Byzantine temples there are the remains of Battista , whose first structure still uncontaminated in some Matteotti you can enter the of Sardinia (9 th -11 th century), probably dates back to the ways: the coastline is rich in old town centre. On Piazza which proves the existence of Middle Ages. The territory fascinating beaches and inlets, del Municipio look the 19 th - a settlement before the Villa di includes the gulf of Palmas, a wild cliffs and grottoes, while century Town Hall , the Chiesa . At the western edge of coastal area of great the inner territory is cathedral of Santa Chiara , the town there is the environmental interest, with dominated by the granite built before 1288 by the earl sanctuary of N. S. di the beaches of Sa Salina and massif of Monte Marganai , Ugolino, and the Bishop’s Valverde , erected at the end a system of marsh and dunes. with the state forest of building (18 th century). The 13 th century in Romanesque The area was intensely

Castle of Salvaterra Church of N.S. di Valverde

Pisan city walls Cathedral of S. Chiara Church of N.S. delle Grazie Church of S. Giovanni Battista

Marganai-Oridda . The town church of San Francesco , style, with the 16 th -century inhabited since the Neolithic belonged to the kingdom of Corso Matteotti built in the 16 th century in monastery. The territory of Mine of Monteponi age. During the Bronze age Cagliari until 1258 when it Gothic-Catalan style, keeps a Iglesias keeps the remains they built lots of Nuragic was called “Villa di Chiesa”; by the increase of the demand noteworthy altarpiece called of some really important the mine of Campo Pisano towers, among which then it passed into the hands of minerals at a national level. “Retablo di San Francesco”, mines that until the middle of and those of the mine of Nuraghe Arramini , composed of the earl Ugolino della After the Second World War made by Antioco Mainas. Not last century were among the Genna Luas . Near the of a central and a secondary Gherardesca. In 1301 it passed the mines closed down. The far from the cathedral stand most technologically hamlet of Bindua there is the towers and a wide village, and in the hands of the Pisans and visit of the town starts from the church of Purissima , built advanced in Europe and today mine of San Giovanni , Nuraghe Fais , a polilobed thanks to the development of Piazza Sella , where the in the 17 th century and that are part of the UNESCO one of the most flourishing complex erected during the the mining activity it became monument to Quintino Stella keeps the church candles patrimony. In the eastern since the Pisan age. Among 13 th century B.C. with the use the second most important stands to honour the used during the procession of outskirts of the town stand the the other structures stands of big trachyte and basalt town of southern Sardinia. statesman that supported the Assunta, and the church remains of the big mine of Laveria Idina and the jewel blocks; it presents a main The Pisan rulers wrote the mining activity in the Sulcis- of N. S. delle Grazie , that Monteponi , on the most of the grotto of Santa tower linked at least to two

40 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 41 lateral ones by a bastion. The suppression of the Society of brought to light some sacred Capoterra to the valley of the lies in a fertile valley that was hut and of a Nuragic well. archaeologists suppose also Jesus in 1773, the fief was structures and a rich deposit river Mannu. From the village, inhabited since the Neolithic, During the Late Middle Ages, the presence of a compound given to the Marquis of of ex votos , with about 700 a road leads inside the valley as attested by the materials a community of Franciscan wall surrounding the entire and Palmas, who remains of small statuettes, of the river Tattinu, an area found inside the sepulchral fathers boosted the economy monument. owned it until 1839. pots, votive lamps and coins. inhabited since the pre- grottoes in the locality of Su of the area. At the centre of Just before the temple there history, as attested by the Moini de . There are the village stands the 11. • Church of 12. • Punic temple are the traces of six altars. presence of a Nuragic village lots of nuraghi in the territory, Romanesque church of San Sant’Ignazio di Loyola of Terraseo Nearby Narcao there is the and a Bronze-age sacred well . among which the most Giacomo , dated back to the The small village of Musei lies The village of Narcao is complex of the Rosas Mines , The road arrives to the important is Nuraghe 13 th century, while along the along the banks of the river included in the Geo-Mining, where they began extracting country church of Sant’Elia Camboni , in the western road to , inside a park Cixerri. The fertility of its lead, copper and zinc in 1832; di Tattinu , built during the with century-old olive trees, territory attracted some the mine stopped working in Byzantine age between the 8 th stands the important church Nuragic people, but there also 1978. The restoration of the and the 9 th century. The of San Leonardo , built during lots of traces of the Roman site has allowed to convert the present structure is the result the 17 th century. and Punic presence. During structures of the mining of a significant remodelling in the Middle Ages and until the village into an open-air Romanesque style made in 15. • Villa Salazar 17 th century the village was Industrial Archaeological the 11 th century, which The hamlet of Piscinas lies at called “Villa di Prato”. The Museum, where the preserved the basic elements the centre of a fertile plain, at actual settlement was installations and the buildings of the Byzantine church, like a brief distance from the sea

Murale Church of S. Leonardo

Church of S. Ignazio di Loyola Rural settlement Church of S. Elia Villa Salazar founded after that the family are immersed in an important the Greek cross plan with the Church of S. Leonardo of the gulf of Palmas. Its of Rossellon gave some fields Rosas Mines environment and gather barrel-vaulted arms and territory was inhabited since to the Society of Jesus, who several findings that witness covered with tile sloped roof, outskirts of the village. It is a the Neolithic, as attested by built the church and the Historical and Environmental the economic and historical surmounted by a complex monument with a the materials found inside the monastery of Saint Ignatius Park of Sardinia. The village is reality of the territory. quadrangular lantern at the central and three or four grottoes of Su Benatzu and of Loyola in Late-Baroque characterised by some houses intersection of the arms and lateral towers linked by a that of Monte Miana and by style, around which the built with the use of ladiri (raw 13. • Church of by an ogive dome recently curvilinear bastion. On the the presence of some peasants built their houses. clay bricks) and decorated Sant’Elia restored. The facade is north side is still visible a Neolithic necropolis. The Inside the church they keep a with some murales . In the The village of Nuxis lies at the surmounted by a small belfry. linteled entry. East of the most important monument in wooden 18 th -century crucifix, hamlet of Terraseo there is a foot of Monte Nieddu, from nuraghe there are the remains the village is Villa Salazar , also a 17 th -century procession Punic temple dedicated to the top of which you can 14. Perdaxius • Church of of the village of circular huts, known as “Villa Bice”, erected cross and a 18 th -century stone Demetra, the goddess of the admire a wide panorama San Leonardo almost completely in the 19 th century on the lands holy water font. After the harvest. The excavations towards the mountains of The small village of Perdaxius underground, of a rectangular that the Spanish family of

42 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 43 Salazar got since 1587, just truncated cone shape and a Paglietto) and La Ghinghetta ; In the hill behind the the old and the new one and promontory of Punta Menga, when Piscinas was bought by single floor enlighten by eight the wild cliff of Capo Altano is necropolis there are the both dedicated to Sant’Anna. reachable through a dirty road, Don Peroche Salazar. Today it windows. Some cantilever fascinating too; from there remains of a single-tower In the last years the village has there are the dunes and the hosts a cultural centre. corbels crown the terrace. The you can admire a wonderful nuraghe. Near the village of rapidly developed thanks to fantastic beach of Porto interior is vaulted with a dome panorama towards the gulf of , in the the sea tourism, attracted by Pineddu . 16. Portoscuso • Spanish characterized by some ribs. Gonnesa. area where the medieval the beauty of the coastline, tower Near the tower and the tuna village of Palmas di which includes the ponds of 19. • Fortress The village of Portoscuso was fishing village there is the 17. San Giovanni Suergiu • stood, you can visit the Maestrale and that of Is of Pani Loriga founded in the 17 th century church of S.M. d’Itria , Necropolis of Romanesque church of Brebeis , a really important Santadi is an agricultural near a Spanish tower by erected in 1665 by the same Is Loccis Santus Santa Maria di Palmas , built marsh area thanks to the village situated in the plain of Sardinian, Sicilian and ponzesi owner of the tune fishing The village of San Giovanni in the 11 th century. presence of the flamingo and the river Mannu, which tuna and coral fishers and Suergiu was founded joining divided the settlement in two after the construction of the several isolated hamlets 18. Sant’Anna Arresi • quarters: Santadi Basciu , tuna fishing village of Su (furriadroxius ) among which Nuraghe Arresi recently built, and Santadi ’e Pranu , one of the oldest tuna San Giovanni, Palmas, The village of Sant’Anna Susu , built during the Middle fishing nets of Sardinia and Matzaccara and Is Urigus. Its Arresi was founded during the Ages when the village was one of the most important of territory includes the 18 th century at the foot of called Sant’Ada de Sulcis or Italy since its activity dates Neolithic necropolis of Is Nuraghe Arresi . This Nuragic Sant’Agata . Here stands the

Old tuna fishing village Nuraghe Arresi

Spanish tower Necropolis of Is Loccis Santus Church of S. Maria di Palmas Church of S. Niccolò back to 1594. The Spanish Loccis Santus , one of the monument was erected in the 15 th -century church of San tower stands on a hill between most important archaeological Middle Bronze age (17 th -14 th Nicolò . At the centre of the the inlet of Ghinghetta and sites of the Sulcis region and century B.C.) and presents a village there are the Museum the cliff of Porto Paleddu, in a Capo Altano dated back to the Late central tower linked to Beach of Porto Pino “Sa Domu Antiga” , which strategic position to control Neolithic (3000 B.C.). It another one by a bastion that gathers some evidence of the the maritime road between activity. The tuna fishing is still presents 13 tombs where the contains an inner courtyard. of shag, and then the sea agro-pastoral culture, and the Calasetta and Carloforte. today one of the main archaeologists found some The ogive vault has collapsed. resort of Porto Pino , with a Archaeological Museum , Erected between the 16 th and economical resources of the materials attributed to the The eastern entry is wide pine wood, a long sandy which keeps lots of findings the 17 th century, it is still in village together with tourism “”, today surmounted by a massive beach, amongst the most from the Neolithic to the good conditions and it was and the industrial activity of kept at the “Villa Sulcis” granite lintel; it leads to a beautiful of Sardinia and Roman age. West of the one of the Sardinian “strong Portovesme. The most Museum of Carbonia. Some corridor and then to the protected by spectacular village, on the top of a hill, towers”, equipped for a heavy beautiful beaches are those of tombs are characterized by courtyard. The nuraghe stands dunes more than 30 m high. there are the remains of the defence. It presents a Portu Paleddu (Porto accurate architectonic details. just between two churches, Northwards, beyond the Phoenician-Punic fortress of

44 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 45 Pani Loriga (7 th -3 th century hamlet of Tatalìa , abandoned Iglesias in 1503. It presents a production, in particular of olive grove with more than and is known as “Luxia B.C.), with a compound wall during the first half of the 19 th three-nave plan. The facade traditional carpets. During the 700 century-old olive trees, Arrabiosa” (angry Lucy). containing the acropolis, a century because of the and the side views are Middle Ages it was protected grafted between the 16 th and Along the road to Narcao housing quarter and a infiltrations in the houses after decorated with lozenges in by walls and today keeps a the 17 th century. One of the there is the noteworthy sanctuary, maybe the tophet , the construction of the Pisan style and hanging arches quiet Spanish atmosphere. most beautiful trees is called Neolithic necropolis of and the necropolis with artificial lake of Monte Pranu with floral decorations. The You can visit the beautiful “Sa Reina” (the Queen) and Montessu . It is the biggest Phoenician and Punic tombs. and today restored for side views and the apse are church of N.S. del Pilar , presents a 16-metre trunk Neolithic necropolis in Near Monte Meana there are tourist purposes, stands the divided in units by pilasters erected in Late Romanesque circumference. Sardinia carved in a the noteworthy grottoes majestic cathedral of S.M. di and contain rows of hanging style in 1307 by the earl fascinating rocky of Is Zuddas and that of Monserrato . This is one of the arches. The apse presents Bonifacio dei Donoratico, and 22. • amphitheatre. It contains 35 Su Benatzu . Along the road most intact and important splayed arched windows with the church of S.M. della Necropolis of Montessu tombs of various typologies, to Capoterra, the former one light and a beautiful Neve , built in Romanesque with 12 sanctuary tombs mining village of Pantaleo is single-lancet window of style by the monks of Victor of dating back to the 3 th immersed in the state forest Gothic taste. The portal on Marseille in the 13 th century. millennium B.C. and of Pantaleo , one of the most the north view has a pointed The three-nave plan and the ascribable to the “” beautiful wooded areas of the arch and an architrave with a Cistercian columns are the Culture. The tombs are placed Mediterranean area. Santadi is two-lion relief. At the interior, only remaining parts of the in four groups: among the also the seat of the simple but fascinating, the original structure. The Gothic- eastern group there is the

Cathedral of S.M. di Monserrato Necropolis of Montessu

Grottoes of Is Zuddas Church of N.S. del Pilar Church of S.M. della Neve Menhir of Terrazzu winegrowers’ association that nave is separated by the aisles Catalan forms of the capilla wonderful “Tomba delle produces some of the most by round-arched arcades mayor , of the eight side Spirali” (Tomb of the Spirals) vintage wines of the island, resting on octagonal columns. chapels and of the external and the remarkable “Grutta de like the Carignano of Sulcis , The collection of works of art facade date back to is Proccus” (Grotto of the a DOC wine that probably include a beautiful triptych restoration works carried out Pigs); the northern group, comes from but that Lago di Monte Pranu (1596) representing the in the 15 th century. In the plain Necropolis of Montessu called “Is Tuttoneddus”, keeps in the sandy and clayey valleys enthroned Virgin, the of river Cixerri, on the top of a a series of mono-cellular of Low Sulcis offers the monuments of the Pisan- Annunciation, the Crucifixion conical hill, there are the The village of Villaperuccio tombs; on the western side maximum thanks to its Romanesque architecture in and a row of Saints. remains of the Castle of presents some sites of great there are the tombs called “Sa resistance to the strong Sardinia. It was erected Gioiosa Guardia , erected by archaeological interest. Cresiedda” (Little Church), winds blowing saltiness between 1213 and 1282 21. • Church the Pisans in the 13 th century There are numerous with a wide pavilion and two from the near sea. following the will of the of S.M. della Neve to protect the rich mine aniconical menhirs in the cylindrical columns carved out Gherardesca family and it The peasant village of deposits of the area, among territory ascribable to the from rock, and “Tomba delle 20. Tratalias • Cathedral was the cathedral of the Villamassargia, situated on the which the mine of Orbai . Neolithic age; the biggest of Corna” (Tomb of the Horns), of S.M. di Monserrato diocese of Sulcis until the right bank of the river Cixerri, Inside the Park of S’Ortu these menhirs is in the hamlet with marvellous bull-horn At the centre of the old bishop’s seat was moved to is known for the textile Mannu there is a 12-hectare of Terrazzu : it is 5 m tall shaped carvings. •

46 Sardegna Virtual Archaeology Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 47 THE PROJECT “CULTURAL HERITAGE SARDEGNA VIRTUAL ARCHAEOLOGY ”

LIST OF GUIDES

CAGLIARITANO OGLIASTRA TERRITORY TERRITORY Basilica Nuragic complex of of San Saturnino | Cagliari S’Arcu ’e Is Forros Archaeological area Villagrande Strisaili of Sant’Eulalia | Cagliari The harbour and the coastal towers of Arbatax | Tortolì

SULCIS0IGLESIENTE TERRITORY NUORESE Necropolis of TERRITORY Is Pirixeddus | S. Antioco Castle Archaeological area of Fava | Posada of Monte Sirai | Carbonia Giants’ tomb of S’Ena ’e Thomes | Dorgali

MEDIO CAMPIDANO TERRITORY SASSARESE Nuragic village TERRITORY of Su Nuraxi | Barumini Necropolis of Castle of Monreale | Sant’Andrea Priu | Church and monastery of San Nicola di Trullas | ORISTANESE TERRITORY Archaeological area GALLURA of | Cabras TERRITORY Roman baths Megalithic Circles of Forum Traiani | Fordongianus of Li Muri | The area of the basilicas Baldu’s of Cornus-Columbaris | Cuglieri Palace | Luogosanto Sardegna Virtual Archaeology 49