Santa Cristina nuragic site, Archaeological site in Paulilatino, Italy
The sacred well features a vestibule with a staircase leading to an underground chamber, where a water source sits beneath a tholos vault of concentric rings. Precision-cut basalt blocks form walls that descend from daylight to the water level, demonstrating the architectural skills of Bronze Age builders.
Constructed around 1000 BC, the well served as a central gathering place for Nuragic people, who built it using large squared basalt blocks with exceptional engineering. Archaeological findings indicate the location remained in use for several centuries before gradually being abandoned during Punic and Roman periods.
The complex includes a trapezoidal stairwell of basalt steps descending 6.5 meters, reflecting the central importance of water sources in religious ceremonies of Nuragic societies. Gatherings and ritual practices focused on this sacred location, which served as a spiritual center for multiple communities across the region.
Located along SS 131 highway, the site offers guided tours every hour from 8:30 AM until sunset, with regular admission at 5 euros and reduced rates at 3.50 euros. A visitor center displays artifacts and explains astronomical alignments, while nearby parking and facilities ease access for most visitors.
During equinoxes, sunlight aligns with the stairway to illuminate the bottom of the well, while the Major Lunar Standstill creates perpendicular moonlight reflections every 18.6 years. These astronomical phenomena demonstrate the advanced understanding of celestial movements by Nuragic architects when designing sacred structures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
