17 and 20 a: The Longu and Asusa of Isili are two of the so-called minor nuraghi that represent, nonetheless, further monumental testimonies of that distant past when Sardinia was dotted with thousands of nuraghi, giants’ tombs, wells, and sacred springs.
The Nuraghe Longu is located in the Valley of the Brabaciera stream about 3 km east of Isili. Built with well-worked limestone blocks, it is situated on a rise at about 500 m above sea level. It is a complex Nuraghe, where the Mastio can still be appreciated in decent condition despite a significant collapse of the external walling to the southeast. From the collapse, one can access the inside where niches and the intact tholos can be observed.
The nuraghe Asusa, built around 1300 BC, consists of two towers overlooking a courtyard and features the main entrance to the east. In one of the internal rooms, archaeologists have uncovered a circular ring pertaining to a well or a cistern, yet to be explored.
The photos of the nuraghi Longu and Asusa of Isili are by Marco Cocco.
