Today we headed north to the mountains first stop near Barumini to visit an ancient nuraghe. Nuraghes are ancient megalithic edifices, watch towers, fortresses found in Sardinia. They were built 3500-4000 years ago during the Nuragic civilization and are dotted throughout Sardinia. The building of this particular one commenced around C15 BC. It reminded me of the Iron Age Brochs we saw in Scotland in 2018; according to our guide ancient Sardinia had links with the Celts. We wandered through the remains of an Iron Age village outside the main tower before climbing to the crumbling tower top. Some of that ascent was within the walls of the tower. The view from the top was breathtaking but then we dived back inside the walls to descend in the narrow space between the shells of the tower down into the heart of the fortress. Of course we eventually had to retrace our steps ending up with grazed shins and elbows. It was very hard going but I’m glad I did it (broken toe and all!).
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| We climbed up here only to descend to the bottom which seemed so far down |
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| Then we had to do it in reverse! |
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| This was a private church with a delightful tranquil garden |
We saw the excavated ruins of another buried village close by before a visit to a winery complete with tasting and what they called a light lunch - 3 courses!
Some of their wine is prepared in a style which mimics that of ancient Georgia, a style dating back 8000 years. Today they use a slightly modified version of the Qvevri
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| Local sheep’s cheese and cured pork |
Exhausted but happy we finished the day with cocktails on a hanging terrace gazing out at the magnificent Gennargentu mountains. Oh and then we dined on suckling pig. What a day! What a place! The food! Our accommodation, Hotel in Su Gologone, is superb - a collection of whitewashed ‘rooms’ sprawling up the mountainside, decorated with stunning artwork.
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| It was quite a walk to get up here but the view was worth it. |
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| Suckling pig roasting over the fire |
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| The works of art were quite beautiful and unique |
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