Nuraghe 'e mesu (Zerfaliu)  

Certainly this is the only nuraghe of Zerfaliu in a good state. It is recognizable on satellite pictures.
You must follow Petrarca Street, and then go straight on the country road Zerfaliu-Paulilatino. After getting over the pinewood and nuraghe Jana, continue along the road. On the other side of Perda Lobada hill, take the country road on the right. You will se the nuraghe 'e mesu on a little hill, inside Ungroni valley. Then continue on foot, to the monolithic monument.
It is a complex nuraghe, constituting of a main tower and two secondary ones. The latter were built later, on south axis of nuraghe entrance. It is in the center of Ungroni hollow, in a high nuraghes density zone. North of nuraghe 'e mesu are the nuraghes Forreddos, Codas e Sa Guzzu, in the municipal territory of Paulilatino, on the west-east axis. The second one lies on the center of the municipal reforestation. On the south are the Villanova Truschedu nuraghes, Santa Barbara, San Gemiliano, Crabu, Ruinas, Domingu Porru, Zoppianu, Nuragheddu, and Pischina Andria. As we said for nuraghe Santa Barbara, around an area of 12 square km are 11 nuraghes, and also the roman spring of Padru Picciu, probably the re-use of a nuragical one. There are many nuraghes in this area, near the stream Sa Mela, tributary of the Tirso river. 2 km south of this nuraghes complex is the Serra Ebbruzzu giants' grave, near the Tirso river too. The nuragical complex of Santa Cristina (Paulilatino) is just 5.3 km north-west of nuraghe 'e mesu.
From the heap of collapse stones, the main tower of nuraghe 'e mesu is 5 meters high.  (1). Considering the original base, and top collapse, the nuraghe should have been 15 meters high.
Because the collapse stones hinder the entrance, the only access way is following the helicoidal stairway, which is as usual clockwise.  Probably the stairway access was an elevated internal niche, associated with a removable wooden staircase. So there was not the traditional stairway access on the left of the main entrance. This variation on the usual architectonical model was adopted also for the most famous nuraghe, su Nuraxi of Barumini (2). From the top you can see the inner niches, the blocked entrance, and a great panorama on this area nuraghes.
After building the south additional towers, the obstructed south entrance became the link to them. This architectonical solution made the donjon safer. But now the two little towers are quite destroyed, especially on the west side. Links between towers are still recognizable.
Around nuraghe 'e mesu you can see the foundations of the nuragical village. The near nuragical spring is very interesting. It is two meters deep.

(1) About misurations see A. PIRAS, Monumenti megalitici nel territorio di Zerfaliu, 2003
(2) See P. MELIS, civiltà nuragica, Sassari, 2003, p.13


Nuraghe 'e mesu satellite picture (google maps)
Nuraghe 'e mesu satellite picture (google earth)
Panorama of s'Ungroni valley
Overview from east
Overview from east (2)
The donjon from south (almost hidden by vegetation)
The San Gemiliano nuraghe and sanctuary, seen from nuraghe 'e mesu
Secondary tower B
East side, seen from inside
South pen




Zerfaliu citrus festival 

Zerfaliu nuraghes
Serra Ebbruzzu giants' grave
Nuraghe Jana
Nuraghe Cagotti
Nuraghe San Giovanni
Nuraghe Santa Barbara (Villanova Truschedu)
Nuraghe San Gemiliano (Villanova Truschedu)
Nuraghe Benas (Solarussa)
Other nuraghes



Trasfigurazione church
San Giovanni Romanesque church