The central nuragic tower remains standing to a significant height, preserving the original corbelled tholos dome.
The name 'Santa Sabina' derives from the church, while the site is locally referred to as 'Sa Pedra Pertunta' due to a hole in a nearby rock.
The church was constructed using materials scavenged from the nearby Nuragic ruins.
Geological analysis shows the structures are built primarily from dark volcanic basalt, characteristic of the Marghine plateau.
Recent archaeological studies indicate the area was a key center for the Nuragic civilization, likely controlling trade routes in the region.
Santa Sabina is a unique archaeological complex in Silanus featuring the juxtaposition of a well-preserved Nuragic tower and a Byzantine-style church. The Nuraghe is a single-tower structure (tholos) built from basalt blocks, dating to the Bronze Age. Adjacent to it sits the small, rural Church of Santa Sabina, constructed between the 10th and 12th centuries. The site demonstrates the historical continuity of the sacred landscape in Sardinia, where Christian worship was superimposed on pre-existing megalithic structures. Excavations have revealed a village of circular huts surrounding the central tower. The church features a dome resting on a square base, an architectural element relatively rare in the Sardinian context. The site provides clear visibility of the transition from prehistoric defensive structures to early medieval religious architecture.
From the elevated path leading to the church, which allows for a frame capturing both the Nuraghe and the church dome together.
Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip, as the terrain around the Nuraghe is rocky and uneven.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid intense midday heat, as there is limited natural shade on the site.
Bring a flashlight if you wish to see the details of the Nuragic masonry inside the main tower.
Do not wander off the marked paths into the surrounding private agricultural fields.
Respect the archaeological structures by not climbing on the loose stones or sitting on the walls of the ruins.
