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Photo: Maurizio Aresu 2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Archaeological site

Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros

Nuragic site in the Italian community of Villagrande Strisaili (NU)

Villagrande Strisaili (NU), Sardinia

Directions

At a glance

Protection
Italian national heritage
Coordinates
40°00′09″ N, 9°24′02″ E
Address
Strada Statale 389var di Buddusò e del Correboi, Km 41.200, 08049 Villagrande Strisaili NU

History and description

The complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros is an important archaeological site located in the village of Villagrande Strisaili, in the province of Nuoro.

Description

The site has lived two main constructive moments: the first included in the Middle Bronze Age and the second in the transition period between the Bronze Age and the first Iron Age.

The complex consisting of a megaron temple, about 17 meters long, surrounded by a fence called temenos, and other buildings of worship and housing, including also genuine metal casting workshops. Nearby is also present a trilobed complex nuraghe. Inside of the megaron temple an altar decorated with sculpted stylized human faces has been discovered.

S'Arcu 'e Is Forros was a village-sanctuary and probably the most important metallurgical center of Nuragic Sardinia, a large trading center with Etruria and the eastern Mediterranean.

Important finds have been recovered in the site such as bronze and iron objects, an Egyptian scarab and an inscribed Canaanite amphora containing what has been classified by some scholars as a Philistine inscription.

Keep reading on Wikipedia

Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros».

Getting there

Villagrande StrisailiTrain, nearest
11.3 km as the crow flies
Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is ForrosStrada Statale 389var di Buddusò e del Correboi, Km 41.200, 08049 Villagrande Strisaili NU

Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros?

Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros is in Villagrande Strisaili, in the province of Nuoro (Sardinia), Italy. Address: Strada Statale 389var di Buddusò e del Correboi, Km 41.200, 08049 Villagrande Strisaili NU. GPS coordinates: 40.00245, 9.40064.

What else is there to see near Nuragic complex of S'Arcu 'e Is Forros?

Nearby you’ll find: Nuraghe Bau 'e Tanca (7.6 km away), Gremanu nuraghe sacred place (12.9 km away), Nuraghe Ardasai (13.2 km away).

Sources and licences

Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).

Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.

Credits for the 1 photos
  1. Complesso Nuragico "S'Arcu 'e Is Forros" Villagrande Strisaili 23 11 2014 maurizio aresu — Maurizio Aresu 2, CC BY-SA 4.0

Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences

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