Sant'Andrea Priu Necropolis

Bonorva, Italy

The necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu is an archaeological site located on the south side of the fertile plain of Saint Lucia, in the municipality of Bonorva. The complex, one of the most important of the island, is composed of twenty domus de janas; one of them with its eighteen rooms appears to be one of the largest hypogean tombs of the Mediterranean basin.

The necropolis is located on the front of a trachytic outcrop high 10 m and long 180; entrances to the domus are all within a few meters in height from the ground level and some of them are difficult to access because of the detachment of a substantial part of the rock face. The interior of the domus de janas is a faithful reproduction of the houses of that time, with many architectural details (beams, joists, lintels, jambs, pillars and wainscoting perimeter), tending to recreate an environment similar to that where the deceased had spent his existence.

Chronologically, the complex is dated to the Ozieri culture of the Final Neolithic (3500–2900 BC) with partial use and also structural changes of some tombs which continued until the Middle Ages.

Among the domus, three of them, the Tomb of the Chief, the Circular Hut tomb and the Chamber tomb, are of particular importance for their spectacularity and their high degree of conservation.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 3500-2900 BCE
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ivar Koslovski (18 months ago)
Well, if you have seen the fantastic pictures above, you have already seen it. But youn can also spend 7 euros and get your own impression. For me a bid disapointing.
Vladimir Vinokur (20 months ago)
The place is a bit off-tracks, but it is very interesting. Don't miss it!
Philip Enny (3 years ago)
Frescoes from Byzantine era in Neolithic period hewn man made caves.
Gabriele Cazzoli (3 years ago)
Peccato siano accessibili solo poche tombe. La tomba del capo naturalmente offre un'esperienza affascinante per la stratificazione delle culture fino al cristianesimo. Molto belle le raffigurazioni a rilievo originali (cultura di Ozieri) che imitano le case, in questo caso potremmo dire i palazzi, dei signori del neolitico. Un classico anche qui la "falsa porta" che simboleggia il passaggio al mondo dei morti. Sull'altopiano al di sopra della necropoli, imponente immaginarsi la statua del toro completa che dominava l'intera valle. Molto competenti le guide locali, complimenti. Fantastico!
Monica Serra (4 years ago)
A site that is truly worth a visit. A unicum in the Sardinian archaeological / artistic panorama. Only note: a part of the necropolis is off limits. In the end, you pay 6 euros for the guided tour of the tomb of the head alone (which still deserves them all!). Perhaps in light of this, the price of the ticket should be revised.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre of Mérida is a construction promoted by the consul Vipsanius Agrippa in the Roman city of Emerita Augusta, capital of Lusitania (current Mérida). It was constructed in the years 16 to 15 BCE. One of the most famous and visited landmarks in Spain, the Roman Theatre of Mérida is regarded as a Spanish cultural icon and was chosen as one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

The theatre has undergone several renovations, notably at the end of the 1st century or early 2nd century CE (possibly during the reign of Emperor Trajan), when the current facade of the scaenae frons was erected, and another in the time of Constantine I (between 330 and 340), which introduced new decorative-architectural elements and a walkway around the monument. Following the theatre"s abandonment in Late Antiquity, it was slowly covered with earth, with only the upper tiers of seats (summa cavea) remaining visible.