Necropoli di Anghelu Ruju

Northwestern Sardinia


Some 10km northwest of Alghero, just off the SP42 to Porto Torres, lie the scattered burial chambers of the Necropoli di Anghelu Ruju. The 38 tombs carved into the sandstone rock, known as domus de janas (fairy houses), date from between 3300 BC and 2700 BC. Most of the sculptural decor has been stripped off and removed to museums, but in some of the chambers you can make out traces of sculpted bull's horns, perhaps symbolising a funeral deity.

Three weekday buses run from Alghero to near the necropoli (€1.90, 25 minutes).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northwestern Sardinia attractions

1. Sella e Mosca

0.6 MILES

Sardinia's top wine producer has been based on this 650-hectare estate since 1899. To learn more about its history and production methods, join the free…

3. Spiaggia di San Giovanni

4.28 MILES

The closest beach to the historic centre, Spiaggia di San Giovanni is part of a long stretch of sand that curves around the bay almost uninterrupted to…

4. Spiaggia delle Bombarde

4.91 MILES

Spiaggia delle Bombarde, a couple of kilometres west of Fertilia, is a favourite local beach, set amid greenery and well equipped with umbrellas and…

5. Nuraghe di Palmavera

5.08 MILES

A few kilometres west of Fertilia on the SS127bis road to Porto Conte, the Nuraghe di Palmavera is a 3500-year-old nuraghic village. At its centre stands…

6. Torre di Sant'Elmo

5.15 MILES

This tower is named after St Erasmus (Elmo in Catalan), the patron saint of sailors, who was much venerated in Alghero.

7. Torre della Polveriera

5.15 MILES

At the northern end of the Bastioni Marco Polo, this mid-18th-century tower was used as an arsenal and gunpowder store.

8. Torre della Maddalena

5.16 MILES

Also known as the Torre di Garibaldi, this tower was incorporated into the Forte della Maddalena in the late 16th century.