Nuraghe Losa

The Nuraghe Losa cult site is located on the Italian island of Sardinia near the municipality of Abbasanta on the SS 131 (“Carlo Felice”). It can be reached via a separate exit at kilometer 123.

The original name Nurache ‘e losas means “nuraghe of tombs” and refers to the Roman burial urns carved into the rock on the edge of this site. The unmistakable outlines of the Nuraghe Losa stand out on the basaltic plateau of Abbasanta, five kilometers from the small town in the Oristano area. Strolling around the massive, solid, flat structure, whose plan is in the form of an equilateral triangle, perspectives that seem like the front part of a ship's prow catch the eye. It is one of the most impressive and striking symbols of Nuragic architecture... It is distinguished by its articulated design, compact volume and fine masonry technique. The remains of an extensive settlement embedded in the green Mediterranean maquis have been preserved around the nuraghe. It bears testimony to the millenary history of this site, from the Nuragic period to the Roman era and, when it was used as a burial place, to the High Middle Ages (7th-8th centuries).
The complex, built entirely of large blocks of basalt, consists of a trefoil nuraghe dating from the Middle Bronze Age (15th-14th centuries BC), a protective masonry and the remains of a village with round huts dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age were erected (13th-9th centuries BC). At the entrance one notices that this huge compact mass - the secret of good construction - also has large spaces. But not the uncovered courtyard, so characteristic of most complex nuraghi, but which has probably been replaced in function by outdoor spaces. The nuraghe is accessed via two elevated entrances compared to the surrounding land, and via a straight corridor to the original central tower (mastio) in the shape of a truncated cone, as well as to the two side towers. The rear tower, on the other hand, is accessible via a secondary entrance. You will walk through the chiaroscuro of the corridors, breathe in the smell of the moss-covered stones and immerse yourself in the mythical Nuragic age.

After crossing the high threshold, three corridors lead to as many chambers covered with tholos (mock domes). The mastio, still 13 meters high today but originally higher, has a "classic" structure: large main chamber with three niches arranged in the shape of a cross. A spiral staircase that once went to the top leads clockwise to the upper small chamber. All around are the three small towers with high, narrow chambers connected to each other by the masonry that surrounds the whole structure. It also includes three wells that were used to store food reserves or other materials. The main tower and the triangular bastion are surrounded by a long, massive oval wall with doors and two cantilevered small towers, the walls of which are interrupted by notches. The outer masonry extends north and west at the back and is also provided with a narrow passage. At the base of the small western tower is a cistern. In front of the entrance to the facade, on the other hand, an imposing round building can be viewed, which probably fulfilled important functions - perhaps it was the assembly hut - as two opposite entrances, two large niches, four lockers and five notches suggest. Only a small part of the extensive surrounding settlement, which covers 3.5 hectares, has been excavated. In various places there are still remains of Nuragic dwellings and especially houses from the late Punic period, the period of the Roman Republic and the Empire as well as the late Roman and Byzantine periods.Source: sardegnaturismo.it/en/discover/nuraghe-losa