Nuraghe Scalas
Explore ancient Punic/Roman ruins and prehistoric menhirs at Nuraghe Scalas, a wild, unmaintained archaeological gem.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather, less overgrowth
Nuraghe Scalas
Best Time
Pleasant weather, less overgrowth
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore ancient Punic/Roman ruins and prehistoric menhirs at Nuraghe Scalas, a wild, unmaintained archaeological gem.
"A shame the site is abandoned and overgrown; it's a real shame."
Wear Sturdy Footwear :athletic_shoe:
Paths are often overgrown and uneven. Good shoes are essential for exploring safely and comfortably.
Bring Navigation Tools :iphone:
Signage is poor. A GPS app or map is highly recommended to find your way around the site.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Punic/Roman Settlement
Main archaeological area
Discover ancient walls with unique 'opus africanum' construction, reusing prehistoric menhirs.
Menhir Alignments
Near the nuraghe
Explore scattered groups and alignments of ancient menhirs, possibly used as a primitive calendar.
The Collapsed Nuraghe
Summit of rocky outcrop
A glimpse into Sardinia's prehistoric past, though largely in ruins and covered in vegetation.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating Overgrown Paths
Understanding the Site's Layers
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wear Sturdy Footwear :athletic_shoe:
Paths are often overgrown and uneven. Good shoes are essential for exploring safely and comfortably.
Bring Navigation Tools :iphone:
Signage is poor. A GPS app or map is highly recommended to find your way around the site.
Manage Expectations
The site is largely unmaintained and overgrown. It's a raw archaeological experience, not a manicured park.
Combine with Piscina Rei
This site is connected to Piscina Rei. Visiting both offers a fuller picture of the area's history.
Tips
from all over the internet
Wear Sturdy Footwear :athletic_shoe:
Paths are often overgrown and uneven. Good shoes are essential for exploring safely and comfortably.
Bring Navigation Tools :iphone:
Signage is poor. A GPS app or map is highly recommended to find your way around the site.
Manage Expectations
The site is largely unmaintained and overgrown. It's a raw archaeological experience, not a manicured park.
Combine with Piscina Rei
This site is connected to Piscina Rei. Visiting both offers a fuller picture of the area's history.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Nuraghe Scalas is a historically significant but largely unmaintained archaeological site. Visitors appreciate the unique Punic/Roman settlement and menhirs, but are consistently frustrated by poor signage, overgrown paths, and a general lack of upkeep, making it difficult to find and explore.
"The archaeological area of Is Scalas, fenced in, albeit with a large wooden gate that unfortunately no longer serves its purpose as a gate due to its partial destruction and rusty mechanisms, is well depicted and described on a panel outside, which also includes the nearby nuraghe.
The vegetation already shows clear signs of reconquest on what has been excavated and uncovered within the area, which dates back to the Punic/Roman period with its "frame" or "opus africanarum" construction characteristics, a typical North African technique in which large pillars (perhaps reused from earlier menhirs) served as support for short sections of infill masonry made of stone chips and rough mortar.
The area, connected to the nearby Piscina Rei site, still retains the rectangular room design of a civil and residential use.
The nearby nuraghe (200 m. without a specific path to reach it) is in a completely different condition, generally collapsed and robbed of its stones and practically not visitable, with a thick summit covered in bushes."
Carlo Salvetti
"The area is located in Costa Rei (Muravera), on the plateau known as Pranu Sa Siliqua, overlooking the Piscina Rei plain, not far from the popular summer beaches.
The site is characterized by the presence of the Iscalas (or Scalas) nuraghe and Roman-era walls that partly reuse prehistoric menhirs.
The nuraghe was built on granite rock, and only portions of the walls are currently visible.
The menhirs of the Scalas nuraghe are located approximately 200 meters from the summit of the rocky outcrop on which the eponymous protonuraghe stands. There are 43 of them, arranged in groups and alignments of 3, 4, or 5 elements.
Dug deeply into the ground, they range in height from 2.00 to 1.00 meters; their average width is 0.60/0.70 meters. They mostly show a triangular, square or rectangular section."
Andrea Nuragando Sardegna
"In terrible condition, poorly signposted, and the paths within the grounds are completely overgrown. You can hardly see anything and can safely skip the trip."
Jakob Rinkewitz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Nuraghe Scalas is located in Costa Rei (Muravera) on the Pranu Sa Siliqua plateau. Finding it can be challenging due to poor signage and overgrown trails. Many visitors report driving around for an hour without success. It's recommended to use a GPS app and be prepared for rougher terrain.
Unfortunately, no. Reviews indicate that the site is poorly signposted and the paths within the grounds are completely overgrown, making it difficult to locate and navigate.
Given the navigational challenges, using a reliable GPS device or app is highly advised. Be prepared for unpaved or rough tracks leading to the general area.
Information on public transport access is scarce, and given the remote and unmaintained nature of the site, it's unlikely to be easily accessible by bus or train. Driving is the most practical option.
There isn't a designated parking lot. You'll likely need to find a safe place to pull over your vehicle near the access point, keeping in mind the unpaved nature of the access roads.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The archaeological area is fenced but the gate is damaged, and it appears to be freely accessible. There's no mention of ticket sales or entry fees in visitor accounts.
As the site seems to be freely accessible and unmaintained, there are no official opening hours. Visitors can typically access it during daylight hours.
Based on available information and reviews, there is no entrance fee. The site is described as abandoned and prey to overgrowth, suggesting it's not a managed tourist attraction.
While there are no official restrictions, visiting during the drier months (spring to autumn) would be more comfortable due to the overgrown vegetation. Winter might present more challenging conditions.
Unfortunately, reviews consistently mention poor maintenance, overgrowth, and a general state of abandonment. While the historical significance is present, the physical condition is a concern.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the remains of a Punic/Roman settlement with unique 'opus africanum' construction and a nearby protonuraghe. There are also numerous menhirs arranged in groups and alignments.
The nearby nuraghe is described as generally collapsed and robbed of its stones, practically not visitable, with a thick summit covered in bushes.
There is no mention of guided tours being available for Nuraghe Scalas. The site's unmaintained state suggests it's a self-guided exploration experience.
This is a North African building technique where large pillars (sometimes reused menhirs) support short sections of infill masonry made of stone chips and rough mortar. You can see this at the settlement area.
The numerous menhirs are thought to have possibly served as a primitive calendar, indicating an early understanding of astronomical cycles.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique 'opus africanum' walls, the scattered menhirs, and the rugged landscape. The overgrown vegetation can add a dramatic, wild feel to your shots.
Late afternoon often provides softer light, which can be more flattering for ancient ruins and natural landscapes. Early morning can also offer beautiful light and fewer shadows.
While drone photography might offer unique perspectives of the site and its surroundings, always check local regulations regarding drone usage in archaeological areas. The terrain can be challenging for drone setup.
A versatile zoom lens (like a 24-70mm) is useful for capturing both wider scenes and details. A wide-angle lens can be great for emphasizing the scale of the menhirs and settlement.
Explore the different areas – the settlement, the menhir fields, and the approach to the nuraghe. The challenge of finding the site can make the photos feel more rewarding.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider it more of a 'discovery' expedition than a typical tourist attraction. Pack plenty of water and snacks, as facilities are non-existent. The challenge of finding the site itself can be part of the fun for older kids who enjoy a treasure hunt. However, if easy access and clear information are priorities, this might not be the best choice for families with very young children.
🚶♀️ Solo Adventurers & Hikers
Ensure you have reliable navigation tools, a fully charged phone, and let someone know your plans. The remoteness means you'll likely have the site to yourself, allowing for quiet contemplation of the ancient stones and the surrounding landscape. It's an opportunity to connect with history in a truly unadulterated setting.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Nuragic Civilization and Nuraghe Scalas
The Punic and Roman periods saw continued occupation, with evidence of their presence in the form of walls built using the distinctive 'opus africanum' technique. This method involved large pillars, sometimes repurposed from earlier megaliths like menhirs, supporting infill masonry. This reuse of ancient materials highlights the continuity of sacred or significant sites across different cultures and eras.
Visitors should be aware that the site is not actively managed, leading to significant overgrowth. This can obscure some of the archaeological features, but also lends the site a wild, untamed atmosphere. The scattered menhirs, some arranged in alignments, are a particularly intriguing aspect, possibly serving astronomical or calendrical purposes, hinting at the sophisticated understanding of the cosmos by early inhabitants.
Navigating the Site: Challenges and Rewards
To overcome these hurdles, it's highly recommended to use a reliable GPS device or smartphone app with offline maps. Researching the exact coordinates beforehand and downloading the map area is crucial. Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes as the terrain can be uneven, rocky, and covered in dense vegetation.
Despite the difficulties, the reward for those who persevere is a unique and authentic archaeological experience. Unlike more manicured sites, Nuraghe Scalas offers a raw encounter with history, where nature is actively reclaiming the ancient structures. This can be particularly appealing to those seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations and a sense of discovery.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit