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 larger of two ski areas above Entremont-le-Vieux, the other is Le Granier. Saint-Pierre-d'Chartreusse is also nearby and there's extensive cross country skiing.

BASE: 3937ft
SUMMIT: 4593ft
VERTICAL DROP: 656ft

Right in the middle of the Haute-Savoie department of France lies the Massif des Aravis.

BASE: 3280ft
SUMMIT: 4658ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1377ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 4
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 4

Wintertime in Le Lioran

Le Mourtis has a larger vertical than some of its bigger neighbours, as well as a good range of child-care and ski tuition facilities, including a snow play-park.

BASE: 4429ft
SUMMIT: 6102ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1673ft

The ski resort Lenk-Simmental has different small and family friendly ski villages.