Sardinia has a very ancient history. Much of its history is linked to the Nuragic civilisation. Scattered across the island you can find nuraghe, the houses used by the Nuragic people, and their tombs. These prehistoric monuments date back over 4 thousand years.
They are called Giants’ Tombs because legend has it that huge bones were found inside.
The structure of the giants’ tombs is very particular: the outside consists of stones placed vertically in the ground and arranged in a semi-circle, recalling the shape of a bull’s horns. The base, seen from above, is reminiscent of the muzzle of a bull or the female reproductive organ. To the Nuragic people, the bull represented male divinity and was therefore a symbol of strength and power, while the female organ symbolised birth.
This shows that the Nuragic people represented life and death in the same way. It is therefore thought that they wanted to represent the union of birth from the female organ into our world and then the rebirth into another. As everyone was equal in Nuragic culture, bodies were buried together inside the tombs without differentiating based on gender or social class.
There are many Giants’ Tombs in the area of Sardinia between Olbia and the town of Arzachena. Just near the famous Emerald Coast there are three tombs: that of Coddu Vecchiu, near the Nuraghe La Prisgiona, and those of Capichera and Li Lolghi.
In Olbia, you can find the giants’ grave of Su mont’e s’Abe, the largest tomb in Sardinia. It is located a few kilometres from the airport.
To date, 320 Giants’ Tombs have been found and have become UNESCO World Heritage sites.
There are many legends and uncertainties about the tombs and the Nuragic civilisation but one thing’s for sure: they are unique structures that cannot be seen anywhere else except in Sardinia. I recommend adding them to your travel itinerary.
