The megalithic complex of Monte Baranta

The megalithic complex of Monte Baranta is located on the south-west margin of a vast natural terrace, that overlooks little valleys on a wide flatland to the south that extends until it reaches the gulf of Alghero. It is one of the most extraordinary examples of a fortified settlement of the Pre-nuragic Age (tn* Sardinian prehistory dating from 4000 to 3000 BC, from the Palaeolithic to the middle Bronze Age), ascribable to the Copper Age and more precisely to the culture of “Monte Claro” (tn* a Pre-nuragic style of pottery that gets its name from mount Monte Claro, in Cagliari, where it was first found). Mount Baranta consists of a Pre-nuragic settlement characterised and protected by a tower-enclosure and its long and robust wall. The latter contains a group of square huts and separates them from a sacred area with menhirs (tn* large upright stones) arranged in a megalithic circle. Moreover, in the north-northwest area, there is a vast settlement and other scattered structures, which are difficult to recognise because of the thick vegetation. The tower-enclosure has a horse-shoe shape, with two corridor passageways as entrances, leading to a wide courtyard. This complex stands out for its architectural peculiarities, such as the absence of a roof; in fact, initially it could be mistaken for an atypical nuraghe (tn* large megalithic, tower-shaped, prehistoric stone structures found in Sardinia, dating from the second millennium BC to the Roman conquest). The wall is up to six meters wide and has impressive architraves and a rudimentary staircase that leads to a sort of rampart. The defensive structure is completed in a more elevated position, by a thick wall, ninety metres long, which obstructs the access to the only open flat segment left vulnerable. It has an off-centred entrance that leads you inside the surrounding wall. In the area delimited by the wall, we can recognise the straight walls of the many village huts. During the digs in two huts, only pottery belonging to the culture of Monte Claro was found. Outside the walls there is a megalithic circle, consisting of about eighty slabs of rock of various dimensions, that signal a circular space of about ten metres diameter. The great menhir, about 10 metres away, rises over a perfectly smooth rocky area and measures 4 metres in height. The area where the complex is located measures about twelve hectares and has been bought by the Town Council of Olmedo with the intention of promoting its preservation, safeguarding and value appreciation. The funds of the Regional law 37/98 have been used for the first interventions, aiming at rebuilding the access pathways with local rock and at the maintenance of the copious shrubs and trees, which surround the wall and the tower-enclosure. The Town Council has also done work on the ancient path that, from a wide clearing located at the end of Padru Salari, leads to Monte Baranta. This enchanting path is framed with ancient rocks and hundreds of years-old trees, and from which you can admire the green valley of Nurra from above, and the splendid horizon of the Gulf of Alghero. Location: Leave Olmedo via Provincial Road 19 towards Alghero. After 1,100 m turn left and continue for 1,300 m following the direction signs. The entrance is indicated by a sign. Source: Town Council of Olmedo – verified information based on “The pre-nuragic complex of Monte Baranta” (in Italian) by A. Moravetti.