Arzachena, Malchittu Temple

The settlement is located N of the plain of Arzachena, in Gallura, a region of northeastern Sardinia. The temple is located on a depression between two granite heights, on one of which there was a nuraghe, now collapsed, in a position of wide domination over the valleys below. The E limit of the depression is defended by a straight wall of which there are short sections made of large blocks arranged in irregular rows.
Near the mouth of the narrow gorge that leads to the temple, there is a circular structure (diameter 5.90 m; height 2.00 m), perhaps a hut, built with stones decreasing in size upwards and arranged in regular, projecting rows.
Several tafone burials are located along the E side of the relief on which the nuraghe was placed.
The small temple is a rectangular apsidic building (length 14 m; width 6 m), consisting of a vestibule and a large room.
The vestibule, quadrangular, is delimited by two wall sections created by the extension of the long sides of the building, according to the pattern of the temple “in antis”: the wall on the left has a straight line while that of D. is curvilinear, having to adapt to the presence of a rock outcrop. The floor is paved.
The back side of the vestibule, in the center of which the entrance to the bedroom opens, culminates with a small pediment to which another one had to be contrasted on the opposite side. The roof of the room and atrium originally had to be double-sloped, with a central peak beam - resting in the center of the two pediments, which supported the transverse beams.
The structure is built with medium and large boulders just cut out: the exceptions are the jambs and the lintel of the entrance, with an exhaust window, made of larger, well-worked blocks.
The arched entrance leads into a short hallway that has on both walls a small rectangular niche functional to contain a beam for fixing the wooden door.
The inner chamber, rectangular apsidic (length 8 m; width 4 m), has a rather high counter at the back wall, perhaps intended for the deposition of offerings; along the side walls, two niches are spared on each side, while a sort of loophole appears in the south-east corner. A sort of seat and steps along the side walls, were perhaps intended to accommodate the officiant and the people admitted to worship.
In the floor, originally covered with regular cobblestone, almost in front of the steps, there is a circular fireplace bordered by small plates well placed together and connected with mud mortar.
On the south side, some stones arranged in a semicircle do not date back to the first floor of the building.
The complex dates back to early Middle Bronze (about 1800-1600 BC) and its use lasted until about 1000 BC.

History of excavations
The small temple was excavated by Maria Luisa Ferrarese Ceruti in 1964.

Bibliography
M.L. Ferrarese Ceruti, “A unique monument of Gallura (the temple of Malchittu)”, in Archivio Storico Sardo, XIX, 1962, pp. 5-27, tavv. I-III, figs. 1-2;
E. Contu, “Nuragic architecture”, in Ichnussa. Sardinia from its origins to the classical age, Milan, Scheiwiller-Credit Italiano, 1981, pp. 3-175;
G. Lilliu, The Nuragic Civilization, series “Archaeological Sardinia. Studies and monuments”, 1, Sassari, Carlo Delfino, 1982, p. 105;
M.L. Ferrarese Ceruti, “The Malchittu complex”, in A. Antona Ruiu-M.L. Ferrarese Ceruti, The Nuraghe Albucciu and the monuments of Arzachena, series “Archaeological Sardinia. Guides and itineraries”, 19, Sassari, Carlo Delfino, 1992, pp. 56-63.

How to get there
The Little Temple of Malchittu is located in the homonymous town, which is located just outside Arzachena, along the State Road 125 Arzachena-Olbia (SS 125). In the same area there are also the Nuraghe Albucciu and the Tomb of the Moru Giants. The temple can only be reached on foot, through an uphill path of about 1.5 km, starting from the ticket office. The last stretch, on a steep slope, is on rock. It is therefore recommended to wear comfortable shoes and to be careful on the route.

Tag

Structure category: archaeological area or park

Content type: Archaeological monument
Archaeology

Usability: Open

Province: Sassari

Common: Arzachena

Macro Territorial Area: Northern Sardinia

POSTAL CODE: 07021

Address: località Malchittu

Telephone: +39 345 5760538 +39 345 7200094 +39 0789 83401

E-mail: archeologia@gesecoarzachena.it

Website: www.gesecoarzachena.it

Maggio - September

Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday

10:00 AM - 7:30 PM

October - April

Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Information on tickets and access:

The schedules may change: we recommend that you always consult the website of the managing body. For always updated information on tickets, given the variety of visit combinations and cumulative offers, please refer to the dedicated web-ticket page on the manager's website.

Access mode: For a fee

Services information: Guided tours are included in the ticket price, upon reservation, or by asking the ticket office for departure times. Audio guides are also available.

Update

19/4/2024 - 13:46

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