Santa Cristina nuragic site
Santa Cristina nuragic site, Archaeological site in Paulilatino, Italy
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Paulilatino).
Italy holds archaeological sites spanning several millennia, offering insights into Etruscan, Greek and Roman civilizations. These locations include necropolises with thousands of tombs, well-preserved Roman villas and ancient settlements along the Mediterranean coast. Many of these sites lie beyond...
Sardinia preserves traces of human settlement across thousands of years. The island presents prehistoric cult sites including sacred wells and burial mounds that show ancient rituals. Nuraghe towers from the Bronze Age still rise above the landscape, while Roman theaters and Punic temples mark later...
Parco Archeologico Santa Cristina
60 m
Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonacattu
7.8 km
Oasi Losa
7.5 km
Basilica of St. Mary
7.8 km
Tombe dei giganti di Goronna
2.7 kmNuraghe Lugherras
4.4 km
Tomba dei giganti di Muraguada
2.6 km
San Gemiliano
6.9 kmFonte nuragica di Mitza Pidighi
7.3 km
San Teodoro
3.8 km
Nuraghe Santa Cristina
217 m
Santa Maria Maddalena
3.7 km
San Giovanni
3.8 kmMuseo Archeologico Etnografico Palazzo Atzori
3.7 km
Casa cantoniera di Paulilatino
2.8 km
Nuraghe Santa Barbara
6.8 kmNuraghe Oschini
6.7 km
Olivastro
7 km
Nuraghe Ruinas
7.7 km
Nuraghe Crabia
4 kmNuraghe Ois
6.3 kmOlivastro monumentale
6.9 kmNuraghe Losa
8 kmNuraghe de Mesu
5.4 kmTeatro Grazia Deledda
3.8 kmAnfiteatro Comunale
7 kmStatua S. Padre Pio
3.2 kmScenic viewpoint
5.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes