From Cagliari take s.s.195 until km 27, were you need to turn left for Pula (you will find tourist signposts). Cross the town of Pula and follow Via Nora that takes you to the coast after 3 km.
This area was probably first inhabited in Nuraghic times, but only very sparse information is available about this period. According to literary tradition, Nora is the most ancient city in Sardinia, and this would appear to be confirmed by the Phoenician stele found there.
Phoenician colonization – starting from the 8th century BC – transformed Nora into an important trading centre with three ports, alas no longer visible. As regards this period, important information has come to light thanks to archaeological investigation and digs still in progress; investigation has brought to light a sacred complex in the zone of Coltellazzo (under the Spanish tower), and a residential quarter dating from Punic times below the Roman forum.
The city developed apace, achieving a high degree of prosperity and indeed it became one of the most important cities along the southern coast of Sardinia. There are only a few architectural testimonies of this period: the temple of Tanit and some areas along the shore.
Roman domination began in 238 BC; digs carried out in the 1950s have brought to light vast areas of the city. Indeed, most of the structures visible today date from the Imperial period. Visitors will be fascinated by the bath complex, mosaic floors, and an exquisite small theatre dating from the 2nd century AD, very well preserved.
The city, which was inhabited until the early Middle Ages, was abandoned after a long period of decline which began in the 5th century AD, when maritime traffic became impossible due to frequent Saracen raids along the coast.
