| Sacred spring Su Tempiesu | |
 | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Sardinia |
| Territory | Barbagia di Nuoro |
| Institutional website | |
Sacred spring Su Tempiesu is an archaeological site of the Sardinia.
To know
It is a Nuragic monument dating back to the Bronze Age. Intended for the cult of water, it was built in the second millennium BC, it is presumed in the thirteenth century BC. Around the 9th century BC it was buried by a landslide that destroyed the top and buried the rest. It was discovered by chance in 1953 during works to refurbish the aquifer by the owners of the fund.
Architectural structure
The temple was built in isodomic work, that is, with masterfully squared basalt blocks and worked when necessary with appropriate inclination. The rocks present in the surrounding area are mainly composed of schist or granite, and the volcanic rock used was transported to the site from quite distant locations, probably from the territory of Dorgali. The monument consists of a main source with a double sloping roof, preceded by a vestibule delimited at the front by a low wall inside which a second small source is excavated which reproduces the larger one on a reduced scale.
The temple is leaning against a steep schist rock wall where the spring water that feeds the source has been captured and channeled.
Vestibule
The vestibule or pronaos, that is a structure open from the front - paved with perfectly joined and slightly sloping slabs of trachyte - is delimited at the rear by a wall beyond which is the main well. The two side walls are built in projection from the base, and in their elevation they form a very narrow pointed arch, thus determining both the function of the wall and the covering of the vestibule itself. The final part was destroyed by a landslide while two monolithic arches still exist between the two projecting walls at about three quarters of the original height. The external covering of the vestibule has a double slope with a double perimeter frame provided with a drop guard. The basaltic lava ashlars (called tail or wedge or T-shaped) have been cut so that they can be interlocked without the use of binders or cohesive mortar.
During the excavation in 1984, 32 mammelliform appendages were found that had been chipped from the exposed face of the blocks used for the double-pitched roof. Some ashlars of the roof still retain these appendages. Much of the tympanum is preserved, which originally ended with a truncated pyramidal ashlar with twenty bronze swords fixed in place by castings of lead. The unusual length and the absence of a handle indicate the predominantly votive use. Two side benches completed the vestibule and these were used for the rest of the worshipers or had the function of receiving votive offerings.
Main source
A trapezoidal staircase of 4 steps opens into the internal part of the vestibule. Due to its splayed shape on the vestibule it recalls that of Santa Cristina di Paulilatino. Between the corner cracks of the steps is molten lead in the form of thin rods to prevent water from being dispersed into the ground under the steps. The roof consists of 3 architraves that degrade in negative correspondence with respect to the steps of the staircase. On the entrance architrave there is a rectangular drain window (which is also a support surface), a customary feature in nuraghi, also extended to the architecture of sacred wells. The staircase leads to the thòlos, 1.82 m high and 0.90 m in diameter. It consists of 11 rows of basalt ashlars. The base of the room has a basalt paving, sloping towards the entrance, with a circular dimple for the decantation of impurities. The overflowing water flows in the furrow dug on the last step (or threshold-step of entry) and flows into an underlying circular basin; from here, through a channel dug into the paving of the vestibule, it is conveyed to the second small spring.
Well (or minor source)
The vestibule is bordered by a curvilinear low wall made of basalt blocks, later integrated with slabs of schist. Inside the wall a second source is dug, which reproduces the main source on a smaller scale and which collects the water coming from the main well. The water flows into it through a small channel ending in a very fine green soapstone drip. Here too there is a circular dimple for decanting the debris. On the wall, above the source, there are two niches and there are two support surfaces in schist.
Geographical notes
The site is located in Sa Costa 'e Sa Binza, 5-6 km from Orune.
How to get
By plane
- 1 Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (IATA: OLB) (105 km from the sacred source Su Tempiesu), ☎ 39 0789 563400, fax: 39 0789 563401. L'Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport it is connected with several Italian and European cities from Alitalia with Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate and other scheduled and low cost airlines including Easyjet, Volotea, Smartwings, Transavia, British Airways, Austrian and many others.
- 2 Alghero-Fertilia Airport (IATA: AHO) (171 km from the sacred source Su Tempiesu), ☎ 39 079 935011. L'Alghero-Fertilia airport is served by Ryanair with Pisa, Bologna, Milan-Bergamo and some European cities, from Alitalia with Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate and by other airlines serving other national and European destinations.
- 3 Cagliari-Elmas Airport (IATA: CAG) (203 km from the sacred source Su Tempiesu), ☎ 39 070 211211, fax: 39 070 241013. L'Cagliari-Elmas airport it is served by Ryanair with Pisa, Bologna, Milan-Bergamo, Rome Ciampino, Treviso, Cuneo, Bologna and some European cities, by Alitalia with Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate and by other airlines serving other national and European destinations.
From the following airports it is possible, thanks to several car rental companies present, to rent a car to reach the sacred source Su Tempiesu.
By car
Take the SS 131 d.c.n. Abbasanta-Nuoro-Olbia and exit at "Nuoro-La Solitudine-Orune". Continue for Orune, then, once in the village, follow the signs for Su Tempiesu. Cross different streets of Orune in following the signs, you will arrive at the municipal cemetery, once you arrive here continue to the left and take a municipal road and then arrive at your destination after 5-6 km.
From the ports of Olbia- White Island, Golfo Aranci, Tortolì-Arbatax, Porto Torres is Cagliari.
Permits / Rates
- The entrance fees are as follows: Adults: € 3.00; reduced 12-16 years (high school): € 2.00; Children 6-12 years (primary and secondary school): € 1.50.
- The hours are as follows: Mon-Sun (Autumn-Winter) 9: 00-17: 00; Mon-Sun (Spring-Summer) 9: 00-19: 00.
How to get around
From Orune follow the signs for Su Tempiesu. Cross several streets of the town following the signs, you will arrive at the municipal cemetery, once you arrive here continue to the left and take a municipal road. Be careful when walking along it as it is narrow. You will arrive in Su Tempiesu after 5-6 km. Once here, leave your car in the parking lot and continue on foot.
Su Tempiesu sacred spring: full screen map.What see
- 1 Sacred spring Su Tempiesu.
What to do
Shopping
Where to eat
Where stay
- 1 Budolio, Location Budolio (It is 700 meters from Su Tempiesu), ☎ 39 0784 276380. Farmhouse. You can also eat it.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Useful information
- Contacts sacred source Su Tempiesu, ☎ 39 328 7565148, @[email protected].
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Sacred spring Su Tempiesu
Commons contains images or other files on Sacred spring Su Tempiesu
