Barumini
Right in the heart of the Marmilla region, Barumini is a place steeped in centuries-old history. The village, set like a gem in the Mannu valley, in the shade of the imposing Giara plateau, is now a fascinating cultural destination with a population of approximately 1,300.
A centuries-old village, the true embodiment of a legendary age
Heritage Site, is a group of nuraghes that has no equals in Sardinia, discovered by Giovanni Lilliu, a famous Sardinian archaeologist who led the excavations in the mid-20th century. The nearby culture centre that hosts events, concerts and exhibitions on archaeology and crafts has been named after him.
Made of basalt, Su Nuraxi covers two thousand years of history from the 16th century BC to the 7th century AD. It is a complex with a bastion, an 18-metre central tower, four towers at the corners and a maze of 50 huts, wells and cisterns.
The prehistoric origin of Barumini is attested by another trefoil nuraghe, Nuraxi e Cresia, dating from the 16th century BC, discovered during the restoration of Casa Zapata, a noble palace built in the 16th century by the Barons of Aragon. Now, the palace is a museum that jealously guards archaeological findings, including two towers from the nuraghe, and provides an overview of the region’s history.
Barumini has remains of Roman walls and Medieval churches, such as St Nicholas and St John. The Convent of the Capuchin Friars is an architectural work of historical relevance that has a connection with the local community.
The basaltic uplands of the nearby Giara, with its famous cavallini della Giara, a native breed of wild horses, are the ideal place for trekkers and bike-riders.
