The images of the village of Or Murales (Urzulei) constitute a paradigmatic example of the indissoluble integration between a Nuragic settlement and its environment.
So writes Andrea Mura (Nuragando Sardegna), author of the photos presented here:
“A vast nuragic village, perhaps the largest, is hidden in Supramonte, in the Urzulei territory. We visited it a few days ago: it is the village of Or Murales.
The bibliographical information is not precise: over 100 constructions have been estimated, but they are probably even more as many structures are concealed by extensive vegetation, mostly consisting of holm oaks and junipers.
One can distinguish, especially from drone photos that render the whole well, many circular huts made of limestone.
The village is about 800 metres above sea level and the dating of the village derives from findings of fragments of pots with comb-embossed decorations and collared ollae with inverted elbow handles, datable between the last phases of the Middle Bronze and Final Bronze (1500-1000 BC).
The exploration is certainly suggestive, both because of the location and because one realises the grandeur of it.
Another great testimony to the past.
(Source of information: Guide to the Cultural Heritage of the Province of Ogliastra, reported by the Sa Portiscra Cooperative of Urzulei).
Other information: in the Sa Portiscra area, it is also possible to spot Sardinian deer and mouflon, if one is lucky. Deer, in particular, were introduced to Sa Portiscra in 2014 as part of the LIFE Natura Project ‘One deer two islands’ (fifteen specimens of Sardinian deer from Guspini were released in the area).
How to get there: the nuragic village is located within the ‘Sa Portiscra’ wildlife area. On the SS125, turn off at km 187 (signposted ‘Sa Portiscra’ faunal area). Continue for 2.4 km (dirt road), leave the car and walk for about ten minutes. You will find signposts (the route starts at a pinnacle).’
