Necropolis of Santu Pedru, Prehistoric necropolis in Alghero, Italy.
The Necropolis of Santu Pedru is a prehistoric burial ground in Alghero featuring ten tombs carved into volcanic rock. The chambers connect through entrance passages, and some retain their original painted surfaces and decorative details from ancient times.
This burial ground began in the fourth millennium BC and remained in use for roughly one thousand years across different periods. In the 6th century AD, one of the tombs was transformed into a small church.
The tombs were built to mirror the homes of the living, with painted surfaces and decorated chambers meant to serve as dwelling places for the dead. The use of red ochre on the walls shows how much care went into making these underground rooms feel complete and inhabited.
Visitors can explore the first tomb chamber with its preserved architectural details, including a semi-circular entrance room and painted walls. Take time to walk slowly through the site to notice the fine details carved into the rock and the subtle color traces still visible inside.
The fourth tomb sits at the highest point of the slope and was later transformed into a small church dedicated to two saints in the medieval period. This layering of ancient burial and later religious use shows how the site remained spiritually meaningful across different eras.
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