Nuragic Village Quick Facts:

• Complex arrangements of circular huts dating to the Bronze age have been excavated at four major villages.
• Tiscali, which has given its name to an Italian communications network, is built inside a cave.

More of this Feature • Part 1: Sardinia: An Introduction • Part 2: The Nuraghi

Related Resources • Italy Information • Sardinia Information • Sardinian Traditional Costume Pictures

Some late bronze age villages aren't found around the Nuraghi at all. Two of the most popular to visit don't have a sign of a Nuraghe around them--Serra Orios near Dorgali, and Tiscali.

Tiscali is a magical place. Built inside of Monte Corrasi, in a huge cave, the walled huts are clustered near the spalling limestone walls. The village was inhabited until very late, leading some to speculate that its inhabitants were hiding from the Romans. One of the huts has a door lintel that's completely fossilized.

Visiting the Nuragic Villages

To visit Serra Orrios you'll need a car. Take route 129 from Nuoro towards Orosei. turning off onto the smaller road for Dorgali. Just before you get to Dorgali, signs to Serra Orrios will lead you when to turn left. It's a 600 yard walk to reach the Nuragic village. There is an entrance fee.

It's best to take a tour to Tiscali. Tiscali is near the towns of Oliena and Dorgali, but access to it is nearly impossible without a four wheel drive vehicle, stiff hiking boots, and a knowlege of where you're going. Besides, even with a guide it takes six hours of walking and driving to make the round trip. But it's not as difficult as it sounds when you're with a guide.

The cooperative Ghivine is caretaker for Tiscali and offers tours.

Your best bet may be to stay at Su Gologone--a fabulous four star resort that's quite reasonably priced and has one of the best traditional Sardinian restaurants around--and book a tour from there. Su Golgone, often listed as Su Cologone in web pages, also hosts some of the local fokelore dancing and singing groups, and you can join in their practices if you're lucky enough to be staying on the right evenings.

Tiscali Pictures - Sardinia - Click to Enlarge
photos © 2002 by James Martin, Licensed to About.

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