Barumini

Sightseeing on wheels

In Barumini, a small village in the countryside of Marmilla, the most famous Sardinian nuraghe called Su Nuraxi, lies on the top of a hill. Thanks to its exceptional state of conservation and the complexity of its structure, it was named the island's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nuraghes have become a symbol of the island culture and a source of pride for Sardinians. On the tour, a local guide will show you Su Nuraxi's five towers (one in the middle and the others around it), the city walls, and the ruins of an ancient village. After the tour of Su Nuraxi, continue to the Casa Zapata Museum, where the ruins of the Su Nuraxi ’e Cresia are enclosed. The nuraghe is located in the heart of the town of Barumini and has been used as a foundation for the construction of a 15th-century Spanish noble house. Choose from an option that allows you to take a guided walking tour of Giara, a volcanic plateau surrounded by nature, where small wild horses live, or an option that includes a stop in front of the Basilica of Bonaria, an important church of Cagliari. End your day with a visit to the Domus de Janas, a necropolis from the Neolithic period. Admire the surrounding landscape while soaking in the ancient history of the island. The tour concludes back at the meeting point in Cagliari.

A complete tour into prehistory to discover the Nuragic civilization. A tour to discover one of the most important archaeological sites of the entire island, the “Su Nuraxi” nuraghe of Barumini, a Unesco World Heritage Site and of the basaltic plateau of Giara. Impressive in size and construction, “Su Nuraxi” shows us what wonders people so distant in time and apparently primitive were capable of. A real journey through time to discover the Nuragic civilization, which developed between the 18th and 3rd century BC. The Nuragic palace of Barumini, a majestic megalithic construction that we will visit from the inside, is one of the largest and most famous on the island and boasts the distinction of being the first Nuragic evidence to be investigated by a scientific archaeological excavation. Next we move to the Giara di Gesturi park (vulcanic plateau), along an easy and fascinating route, immersed in a unique environment among ponds, cork groves where live the Giara horses, the last wild horses in Europe. Also known as Sa Jara Manna, it takes its name from the Latin word glarea, or gravel, in reference to the stony appearance of the soil. The plateau, dating back 2 million years ago and located between the municipalities of Gesturi, Tuili, Genoni and Setzu, is full of natural pools (paulis) immersed in cork, holm oak and wild olive woods.

The tours starts from Cagliari, before quickly arriving at Barumini, which is one of the most important archaeological sites of Sardinia in the Bronze Age and dates back to the second millennium BC. This site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its historical importance and for detailed information that it offers on one of the most ancient and important civilizations of the Mediterranean area: the Nuragic Civilization. During your visit you can admire the megalithic complex characterized by its numerous tholos, the imposing central tower, the four towers, connected by a mighty wall and you are going to discover the unique construction technique that used large, dry (without mortar) blocks of stone. After the nuraghe, you will advance toward the Zapata House, a house owned by a noble family, that was built around the 16th century and where inside, you are going to find yet another nuraghe.

Discover the nuraghe of Sardinia on a 4-hour tour of the Su Nuraxi di Barumini, the best example of a unique defence system that represented an exceptional response to political and social conditions, and an innovative use of the materials and techniques available to a prehistoric island. Recognized by UNESCO for its historical significance, the site provides a great introduction to the origins of Sardinian culture. During the tour, you will explore the vast megalithic bulk deep inside many tholos of incomparable beauty. Explore the massive central tower, built from large dressed stones without the use of mortar. Consisting of 3 chambers, one upon the other, they are connected by a spiral staircase. Learn about the construction of this remarkable site, including the massive stone curtain wall that linked 4 subsidiary towers. Time permitting, it will also be possible to enjoy a typical Sardinian lunch in one of the nearby restaurants. Alternatively, bring a picnic to enjoy in the Giara of Gesturi, where the small wild horses of Sardinia run free.

A complete tour into prehistory to discover the history of Sardinia exploring the Nuragic civilization. An wonderful experienc to discover one of the most important archaeological sites of the entire island, the “Su Nuraxi” nuraghe of Barumini, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Impressive in size and construction, “Su Nuraxi” shows us what wonders people so distant in time and apparently primitive were capable of. A real journey through time to discover the Nuragic civilization, which developed between the 18th and 3rd century BC. The Nuragic palace of Barumini, a majestic megalithic construction that we will visit from the inside, is one of the largest and most famous on the island and boasts the distinction of being the first Nuragic evidence to be investigated by a scientific archaeological excavation. Next we move to the Casa Zapata Museum , a beautiful complex residence, whose realization was ordered by the Zapata noble family as from the end of the XVI century divided into three sections: archaeological, historical and ethnographic. The Archaeological Section of Casa Zapata Museum is the most important, and it has been explored into the oldest part of the residence, a beautiful palace realized according to the classical model and imitating the shape and style of Zapata family’s palace in Cagliari. It deals with a very beautiful seventeenth century building which, during the last century, was identified as ideal for care and enhancement of the very important finds found in the archaeological zone of Su Nuraxi

Immerse yourself in the fascinating landscape of Sardinia! On the way north, you can expect a picturesque drive through the fertile plain of Campidano to the idyllic Marmilla Valley. The gentle hills, which the region is named after, will enchant you with their magical atmosphere. In the charming little village of Villamar, treat yourself to a short break with a delicious cappuccino. While enjoying the aromatic coffee, you will be captivated by the traditional wall paintings that tell the moving story and culture of Sardinia in a unique way. But that is only the beginning of your journey through time! In Barumini, a true highlight awaits you: the Nuraghe Su Nuraxi. This famous nuraghe is the jewel of the island and holds many secrets that still puzzle historians and archaeologists today. Immerse yourself in the fascinating past and let yourself be enchanted by the walls of this impressive structure. On the way back to Cagliari, you will be accompanied by majestic centuries-old olive trees. Enjoy the sight of these impressive natural treasures and let the impressions of this unforgettable journey linger.

Take part in a tour with transfer from Cagliari to discover one of the most important archaeological sites in Sardinia: the Nuraghe 'Su Nuraxi' in Barumini, in the south of the island, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A symbol of the ancient Nuragic civilisation, which developed between the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C., the majestic megalithic construction is one of the largest and most famous on the island, boasting the primacy of being the first Nuragic evidence to be investigated by a scientific archaeological excavation. You will then visit the Casa Zapata Museum, divided into three sections: archaeological, historical and ethnographic, always accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you stories and anecdotes. Programme: - After meeting the guide, you will make a transfer by minibus or car of about one hour for a total of 120 km round trip - One-hour guided tour of the Barumini nuraghe - Guided tour of about half an hour of Casa Zapata - Return There is a bar service near the two sites.

On the Giara, there is an important variety of animal species. Forests of cork and oak alternate with Mediterranean maquis, garrigues, prairies, and ponds to make this plateau a rich fauna shelter, in which the most famous specimen is the Giara horse. These wild horses of medium height (no more than 120 centimeters at the withers) are not a native breed, but they have been on the plateau since time immemorial. Driving about 1 hour from Cagliari in to the country side of Sardinia, you'll reach Barumini and you'll see this wonderful place that from 1997 has been enrolled in the UNESCO World Heritage Lists because of its uniqueness. After lunch(not included), you'll drive towards Gesturi, where you can have a walk tour in the Giara Park and meet the Sardinian Wild Horses. Also in the park you can visit the older kind of Nuraghe "Proto Nuraghe". The fauna of the Giara includes some of the most common species of mammals that are normally present in the woodlands of Sardinia: wild boars, foxes, martens, wild rabbits, hares and hedgehogs. Besides these, it is worth mentioning the many species of permanent birds, such as Sardinian partridges, sparrowhawks, and peregrine falcons, and a large number of migratory birds, both terrestrial (thrushes, blackbirds, woodcocks, wood pigeons) and aquatic (herons, ducks, snipes, marsh harriers). Nesting species include hawfinches, mistle thrushes, woodlarks, shrikes, black buntings, Dartford warblers, great spotted woodpeckers, jays and bee-eaters.

The excursion starts from Cagliari at 9:30 AM and ends around 1:30 PM, with the pick-up included in the price. Our first stop will be Su Nuraxi, the most representative Nuragic complex among the compound nuraghes, those consisting of more than one tower. Due to its uniqueness, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1997. Just a few minutes from the Su Nuraxi complex, within the town of Barumini, you'll find the "Casa Zapata" site, a marvelous residence built by the noble Aragonese Zapata family starting from the late 16th century. In 1990, restoration work brought to light an imposing Nuragic complex beneath the palace structures.

The tour lasts 90 minutes and includes the full tour of the winery where the guests will be able to see the area of vinification, the small, yet lovely cellar where the barrels are and ends with the tasting of four of our traditional wines carefully paired with typical food. The pairing will be explained by the sommelier that will take care of the guests and will be available for any curiosity about the wine industry. The winery is near the biggest plateau of Europe and not far from Barumini archeological site, an area visited by hundreds of tourists everyday. The wines that our winery produces, reflect traditions, history and uniqueness of our beloved territory.