Drive along the S.S.131 until you
reach km 50,500, take the junction
for Villanovaforru. After km 5,6
just before you reach the town turn
left towards Collinas. After 450 m
turn left again on the road for the
Archaeological Parks , for around
400 m. The site is sign posted.
|
|
        
|
 |
|
In the Middle Ages, the town formed part of the Giudicato d’Arborea and was inserted in the Curatoria of Marmilla. After the fall of the Giudicato, following defeat of the inhabitants of Arborea in the battle of Sanluri (1409), this centre together with the whole territory of the Giudicato passed under the direct control of the Crown of Aragon which deeded it as a feudal holding to the Carroz family, lords of the County of Quirra. In 1603, the County was created a Marquisate and assigned as a holding to the Centelles de Riusech, a family originating from the Valencian city of Oliva.
NURAGIC COMPLEX OF
GENNA MARIA
It consists of a keep to which was added a three-tower bastion with a central courtyard and well and, during a later period, a curtain wall with six protruding corner towers. Closing in whole complex was a further masonry wall; all around stretched the village of Nuraghic huts.
The name “Genna Maria” means “gateway to the sea”, very likely because on a fine day from the hill of the same name it is possible to see both the sea of Oristano and that of Cagliari
The main nuraghe dates from the Bronze Age and around it stand the towers and advanced defence works subsequently demolished, in the early Iron Age, to obtain building materials for the village.
Outside the fortified city are the remains
|
|
|
of the huts used as dwellings and as meeting places and artisan workshops for pottery and metal working, all abandoned during the 9th-8th centuries BC. Objects which have come to light from excavations include small lamps, incense burners and the remains of animal sacrifices. They would seem to indicate subsequent use (3rd century BC) of the nuraghe, which probably hosted a “favissa”, that is a sort of underground storage area holding votive objects dedicated to Demetra and Kore. All these findings are on show in the Archaeological Museum in the centre of the town, in a heritage building which in times gone by was
|
|
used as “Monte di Soccorso” (19th century).
In the numerous showcases are exhibited findings not only from Genna Maria but also from other settlements. They are all accompanied by explanatory panels and are presented in respect of their original associations, that is as furnishings and artefacts for various uses connected with the rooms and areas of that part of the village which has already been fully excavated.
|
|
|
