Irgoli, Nuragic Sanctuary of Janna 'e Pruna and Su Notante

The archaeological area is located on Monte Senes, in a large position overlooking the Cedrino river valley, in the Baronie, a coastal region of eastern Sardinia.
The sanctuary was a place of devotion for the Nuragics from the 12th century BC until at least the end of the 9th century BC and consists of a series of monuments that, starting from the Janna 'e Pruna pass, are arranged along a mountain itinerary that in ancient times entered the small valley of the Riu Remulis and connected the Riu Cedrino valleys with that of the Riu Siniscola (important connecting routes between the coast and the interior of the island).
In particular, at the pass (590 m above sea level), the homonymous temple of Janna 'e Pruna surrounded by a sacred enclosure (temenos) with a trapezoidal plan, which, in correspondence with the area in front of the religious building, contains an elliptical courtyard, has been brought to light. Just outside, at the S-O corner of the Temenos, there is a circular paved structure included in an additional enclosure that delimits a semicircular space in front of the temple. About 100/150 meters away from the Janna 'e Pruna complex, going down the Riu Remulis valley, there are two other structures pertaining to the sanctuary, one circular and the other rectangular (currently not visible). A little further downstream (530 m above sea level) The sacred source of Su Notante is located, which can be dated between the Late Late Bronze Age and the Late Bronze Age (XII-X century BC) and which can be compared with other Nuragic structures related to the cult of water, in particular with the source of Su Lidone in Orune-nu.
The cultural monument is visible, part of a powerful fencing/terrace wall, made of large granite ashlars that have just been sketched; the wall, oriented S>N, is leaning against the outcrop of the granite mother rock and is embedded, at its north end, into the wall structure of the prospectus of the source. This one, made in beautiful isodome work with square basalt ashlars, with a very accurate cut, preserves the western portion of the façade that covers the natural outcrop of rock to which the source is leaning. The façade opens the well for the collection of the spring vein (still supplied). The trapezoidal light well has a flat banded roof and a sub-rectangular tub; the tub has a flat bottom, consisting of a single basalt slab.
(update of the descriptive text by the Irgoli Municipal Antiquarium)

History of excavations
The area was affected by two excavation campaigns (2001, 2003) conducted by Maria Ausilia Fadda.

Bibliography
M.A. Fadda, "Irgoli: tutta la preistoria della Sardegna", in Archeologia Viva, XXI, n. 91, gennaio-febbraio 2002, pp. 56-61.
S. Massetti, "Fonte e strutture di età nuragica", in Bollettino di Archeologia, 1997, nn. 43-45, pp. 192-195;
S. Massetti, A. Sanciu, "L'area archeologica di Janna ‘e Pruna e l'Antiquarium Comunale di Irgoli", Sardegna Archeologica, Guide e Itinerari n. 51, Carlo Delfino Editore, Sassari 2013.

How to get
From the SS 131 near Nuoro in the direction of Siniscola-Olbia, continue until the junction with the SP 25 that leads to Loculi and Irgoli. You leave the town of the latter town and take the road in the direction of Capo Comino, SS 129. Shortly after leaving the town, cross the ring road, turn left and follow the signs for the archaeological area of Janna 'e Pruna. Continue on that road for about 11/12 km, going up the side of Mount Senes until you meet the archaeological area located about ten meters to the right of the road.

Tag

Structure category: archaeological area or park

Content type: Archaeological complex

Usability: Open

Province: Nuoro

Common: Irgoli

Macro Territorial Area: Central Sardinia

POSTAL CODE: 08020

Address: località Monte 'E Senes

Telephone: +39 0784 979074 +39 380 6390589

E-mail: info@museoirgoli.it museoirgoli@tiscali.it museo@comune.irgoli.nu.it

Facebook: www.facebook.com/antiquariumcomunale.irgoli

Instagram: www.instagram.com/santuarionuragico_irgoli

Information on tickets and access: For always updated information on access times and ticket prices, we recommend that you visit the manager's website. For visits to the Nuragic Sanctuary of Janna 'e Pruna and Su Notante, it is necessary to refer to the Municipal Antiquarium of Irgoli.

Access mode: For a fee

Other services: Multilingual guide.

Update

10/5/2026 - 14:41

Services

Teaching room