A chronological journey through 6,000 years of history in the territory of Arzachena
In the territory of Arzachena, from the 1940s to today, numerous archaeological sites of remarkable interest have been unearthed. Of the eighty-plus catalogued sites, eight are open to visitors and span a chronological arc of about 6,000 years, from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.
The itinerary begins in the Neolithic era, when small agro-pastoral communities inhabited the tafoni — granite cavities eroded by water, sun and wind. The rock shelter of Monti Incappiddhatu, commonly known as Il Fungo, in the centre of Arzachena, is an emblematic example: it hosted human occupation from the Neolithic through the Nuragic period, when a village of huts developed around it.
About 8 kilometres from the town centre lies the Necropolis of Li Muri, considered one of the oldest examples of European megalithism in Sardinia. The burial type — megalithic circles containing the deceased with rich grave goods — remains unique to the Gallura territory.
Close to the Necropolis of Li Muri lies another funerary area: the Giants' Tomb of Li Lolghi, a Nuragic collective burial monument of remarkable dimensions, built using megalithic technique, reaching a total length of 27 metres. Visiting both sites reveals the connection between Neolithic and Nuragic peoples and the evolution of funerary megalithism over time.
From 1800 BC the Arzachena area was densely populated. The first of two major Nuragic sites includes three monuments: Nuraghe Albucciu, well-preserved with distinctive architectural features that set it apart from the classic tholos nuraghe; the Giants' Tomb of Moru, used by the village inhabitants throughout the Nuragic period; and the Tempietto di Malchittu, a remarkable cult building in excellent condition, reachable via a walk through lush vegetation and rocky formations.
About five kilometres from Arzachena lies the second major Nuragic area: the Nuragic Complex of La Prisgiona, comprising a nuraghe with a main tower and two lateral towers embedded in a bastion. An extensive village surrounds it, with huts used for specific craft activities. The dead were buried in the nearby Giants' Tomb of Coddu Ecchju, known for its impressive central stele standing over 4 metres tall.
Check opening hours, buy tickets and plan your archaeological itinerary.
