Funtana Manna (tn* Big Fountain)

The Funtana Manna overlooks the valley of Zachary located on a small and enchanting plain, where the rector’s house is located. The fountain resembles a typical 17th century fountain, similar to the Rosello Fountain in Sassari. It is a monumental reservoir with squared stone walls, decorated by Doric pilasters, four on the long sides and two on the short sides. It has an upper frame with a continuous balustrade and a lateral front tank. Near the fountain, is the base of the Nuraghe de Sa Surzaga, now destroyed (tn* nuraghe: large megalithic, tower-shaped, prehistoric stone structures found in Sardinia, dating from the second millennium BC to the Roman conquest). According to documents in the archive of the Holy Cross, the lavatory and drinking trough already existed in 1894. Funtana manna, together with Domaiore and Funtana Ena, were the town’s main sources of water provision.

The fountain is one of the sites shown to the public by the children of the town during Monumenti Aperti (tn* Monumenti Aperti, “Open Monuments Day”, is a cultural event where school children guide tourists and locals around monuments, specifically opened for the occasion). The site, which is found at the end of an alley under the present Town Hall, overlooks the valley below, offering an amazing view of the valley and the nearby towns. The colours and lively atmosphere, combined with the water flowing from the fountain, make this corner of Ploaghe very charming.

Source: book “Ploaghe History, Traditions and famous People” (in Italian), by Gerolamo Zazzu