Nuraxi su Barumini

Location

Barumini
Italy
39° 42' 20.9988" N, 8° 59' 26.0016" E
IT
General info: 

These weird looking constructions were a special type of defensive structure known as nuraghi developed on the island of Sardinia. No parallel structures exists anywhere else in the world. The complex is centered around a three-story tower that was built around 16th century BC. It consists of circular defensive towers in the form of truncated cones built of dressed stone, with corbel-vaulted internal chambers. The complex at Barumini is the finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture.
When this fortified village was found, it had been covered by ground and had become a hill. The Nuraxi su Barumini has been a UNESCO world heritage site since in 1997

Getting there: 

The easiest way to get to Barumini is by car. From Cagliari, take the SS 131 to the SS 197.
There is no public transportation to Su Nuraxi but there are buses from the city of Cagliari to the town of Barumini and from the town it's about a mile walk.

Costs: 

Adult tickets are 8 euro as of 2011. All-inclusive tickets are 10 euro and include Casa Zapata nuaghe and museum in the town of Barumini.
The nuragic complex of Baurmini is open every day of the year from 9am until one hour before sunset. Visitors must be accompanied by a guide and tours are scheduled about every half hour.

Interesting places nearby

The beach of the Prince is one of the most beautiful beaches of the whole Costa Smeralda. The name comes from the prince Aga Khan who loved this beach and decided to buy 10km of this shoreline to himself.

Spiaggia della Pelosa is a dreamy crescent of flour-fine white sand and sparkling emerald water in every shade of turquoise and hue of electric blue. The shallow waters in the bay are guarded by an ancient stone watchtower.

Baia Chia with its silky sand, up to 30 meter-high white dunes and crystalline, turquoise-hued water is reminiscent of an idyllic Caribbean beach.

One of the most renowned opera houses in the world. It first opened in 1778 and re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovation.

Europe's largest high alpine meadow, Alpe di Siusi, separates two of the most famous Dolomite ski-resort valleys (Val di Fassa and Val Gardena).

Lago di Carezza is an incredibly beautiful alpine lake just on the foot of the Dolomites mountains. The turquoise blue water is crystal clear and reflects the Dolomites towering behind the lake.