There are over 7000 examples spread all over Sardinia, characterised by truncated-conic towers with a circular internal room covered by a tholos or false dome (nur is a preindoeuropean word that means "hollow heap"). They present various architectural solutions. The results are often amazing for the richness of the defensive system added to the central tholos: further towers, ramparts, surrounding walls and then loop-holes, guard towers and trap doors. Everything was done in order to defend the communities who lived in villages of circular huts, often built around the "royal-fortress", from their external and internal enemies and to protect the fruit of their labours.
  Oristano - Nuraghe
ImageOristano - Nuraghe
Torralba - Nuraghe Santu Antine
ImageTorralba - Nuraghe Santu Antine
  Su Nuraxi in Barumini (in the province of Cagliari) is one of the richest and perhaps the most famous nuraghe on the Island, the majestic Losa, that can be reached from the SS 131 at Abbasanta, the Palmavera in the Gulf of Alghero, not far from the above mentioned Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju or the imposing and charming Santu Antine in Torralba (Sassari), all evoke images of the daily toil in the fields, in the pastures, in the metalworks and speak of the preoccupation of defending the territory of their villages.
However the unique nuragic towers will also capture the attention of the traveller who drives around the Island, coming into sight perhaps out of the blue on a high ground or in the middle of an open plain in the countryside, testifying to an inseparable link between the past and the present.

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