80.2 and 80a.2: The “Santa Barbara” of Villanova Truschedu is a simple nuraghe that was later transformed into the “a tancato” type. A second building of smaller dimensions was added to the primitive tower at the front, connected to the first by two curtain walls in a broken line, enclosing a courtyard. The monument is particularly known because during the winter solstice, the rays of the sun that penetrate through the small window above the entrance outline on the opposite wall of the inner chamber the image of a bull protome. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the “light of the bull.”
The nuraghe Ruinas is a single-tower structure made of basalt located on a cliff overlooking the entire area of the Tirso river, beneath the village of Villanova Truschedu. The tholos, partially collapsed inward, lacks the uppermost courses.
The photos of the nuraghe Santa Barbara are by Marco Cocco, Bibi Pinna, Francesca Cossu, and Stefano Sanna. Those of the nuraghe Ruinas are by Francesca Cossu and Marco Cocco.
