Nurallao
Nurallao: a Municipality with a Millennial History
Welcome to Nurallao, a small Italian Municipality with 1155 inhabitants located in the province of South Sardinia. This city has a millennial history, which can be traced through its toponymy, the presence of numerous archaeological remains, and the intuition of past archaeologists.
Origins of the Name Nurallao
The name "Nurallao" derives from the Sardinian words "nur" and "all". "Nur" means "hollow pile", while "all" means "land for grazing, land for breeding". The oldest form of the name, found in the peace treaty of 1388, was "Nuradau". The current official name, "Nurallao", suggests that the original name was "Nurallà/Nuraddà", to which an additional vowel was added over time.
Archaeological Remains of Nurallao
Nurallao is famous for its large megalithic tomb of "Aiodda". Excavations have uncovered numerous menhirs, jewels, and other valuable artifacts, which are of great importance in understanding Nuragic metallurgy. In the early 1960s, two bronzes representing a Sardus Pater and a goddess, as well as tin and lead, were discovered along with a circular building that provided materials, suggesting the existence of a foundry. There are also numerous nuraghi in the area, such as Poiolu, Nieddiu, Tramalizu, Frumiga, Pranu de is faas (pranu 'e sciasa).
In the Nieddiu area, there is a sacred well dating back to the Nuragic period, although the presence of lime building reinforcements suggests phases of Punic-Roman construction. There are also numerous testimonies from the Roman era, such as remains of houses, roads, wells, and a necropolis. The local population was numerically superior to the Roman part, but the latter had wealth and weapons.
The Old Town
The old town, called "sa Bidda Becia ('idda 'ecia)", is an area famous for its deposits of bronze. The presence of Punic testimonies extends throughout the territory, while Nurallao was near the Roman military garrison of Valentia, which controlled the road between Cagliari and Olbia.
Conclusions
Nurallao is a rich source of archaeological and historical testimonies, which allow us to understand the millennial history of this city. Despite illegal excavations and tomb raiders' activities, these treasures remain a testimony to the greatness of Nuragic civilization and its legacy still present in the area. Come and visit Nurallao to discover its millennial history and learn more about this fascinating Sardinian city.
