Discover Ossi: Archaeology, Museum and Outdoor Art

Ossi brings together archaeological sites, an ethnographic museum and contemporary outdoor art. For a culture-focused stay, you can explore a range of highlights: burial chambers with distinctive layouts, a nuragic village with a group of towers, historic tools and art in a natural setting.

Burial chambers and their architectural details

The Noeddale necropolis consists of six hypogea; three Domus de Janas have architectural features resembling houses. The Tomba della Casa is particularly striking: it has eleven chambers and represents a rectangular hut. Compared with circular examples, this form is less well known. Noeddale thus showcases different layouts and the design of individual chambers.

The Tomba delle Spirali in Noeddale can also be recognised by its specific structural features and motifs: two pillars are carved out of the rock in its main chamber, alongside horn-shaped motifs and double-spiral motifs. Tomb II in the Mesu e’ Montes necropolis, by contrast, has a hearth built into the centre of the main chamber floor. Comparing the two draws attention to their different details: pillars and motifs in one site, a hearth in the chamber floor in the other.

S’Adde ‘e Asile and Littos Longos

The S’Adde ‘e Asile necropolis lies at the foot of Monte Corona ‘e Teula. It comprises eleven Domus de Janas and two attempted excavations. The Tomba delle Clessidre is a multi-chambered hypogeum facing southeast, with a 3.5-metre-long dromos. The Tomba Maggiore has 21 chambers and is inaccessible because of a collapse. Confirm its access status locally before visiting.

The route descriptions also differ: at the Domus de Janas of Littos Longos, a footpath leads downhill to the hypogeum; it becomes visible on the left after about 60 metres. An unpaved road leads to the S’Adde ‘e Asile necropolis, followed by a walk to the archaeological site. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Domus de Janas at Littos Longos also features a trapezoidal dromos about nine metres long, depictions of bull horns and traces of red ochre. The approximate route description and visible details offer different points of reference: first, the short walk to the visible hypogeum, then the shape and design of the rock-cut structure.

Nuragic village and Casa del pane

The nuragic village of Sa Mandra ‘e sa Giua is in Ossi’s Litterai district. A village of huts surrounds a nuraghe with a clearly visible central tower. The tower was built between 1400 and 1300 BC; two smaller towers were later added beside it. Unlike the necropolises, the focus here is on the layout of the village and the group of towers.

Sa Mandra ‘e sa Giua is also home to the circular Casa del pane. Its features include seats, rectangular basins and an adjoining oven. Alongside the nuraghe and smaller towers, these provide further specific structural details that reveal how the site was designed.

Museum and open-air art

The Palazzo baronale dates back to the 17th century and has housed the ethnographic museum since 2007. The exhibition route spans three floors. On display are tools used in farming and in the production of cheese, wine and olive oil. The collection combines a visit to the building with insights into a range of agricultural and craft activities.

Parco di Molineddu covers about three hectares and is an open-air gallery of contemporary art surrounded by nature. Two arenas are used for concerts and other cultural events. If a concert or event is important to your trip, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations

Fertilia, Stintino, Banari, Bonorva, Campanedda, Ittiri, Tissi, Osilo

Go to the main travel overview: Sassari.