Nuraghe and Chiesa di San Marco (Nuraghe and Church of St Mark)

The San Marco Nuraghe has been identified as a Prehistoric fortress that adds up to the trail of so-called “complex” nuraghes, buildings consisting of multiple constructions joined to a central tower.

The heart of the nuraghe lies in the keep and the three towers, with the outermost circles – a five-tower wall – joined together for defence.
The basalt stone the nuraghe is made of comes from the plateau where you are standing now. Archaeological analyses of the historiography of the monument have identified a potential catastrophic event that may have led to the destruction and reconstruction of the complex: an event that may have been the aftermath of some conflict between the Nuragic tribes.

The Christian dedication, which is unusual in a Prehistoric building, comes from a lovely little country church dedicated to St Mark, next to the nuraghe. The small building probably dates back to 1500 and, as you will see, it is enveloped in a beautiful swarm of olive trees. It is an aisleless church that on April 25th hosts the celebrations for Saint Mark the Evangelist. On the occasion, the priest sets down to bless the surrounding countryside to ensure a bountiful harvest.