The necropolis of Madau stands on a plateau in the centre of the wide valley of the rio Madau, at the foot of the Passo di Correboi.
It has four tombs of giants very close to one another.
The first tomb you come to as you access the site is also the oldest. It appears as a sarcophagus made with granite slabs secured to the ground. It features unusual carvings on the slabs which show symbolic motifs like spirals and cupels.
The second tomb is the best preserved one and is the result of the restoration of an older tomb. It opens up with a large exedra (24 metres) complete with bench-seating at the bottom for ritual offerings. A hearth is still clearly visible in the ritual space cordoned off by the exedra. A door with architrave provides access to the funeral chamber spanning 22 metres in length and is extremely well preserved. The roof in the chamber is referred to as “ship-like” because it brings to mind the shape of the keel on an upturned ship.
The third tomb was also created on the remains of an older tomb of giants with the same construction technique used for the second one. It has an unusually designed exedra with arms that extend out to mark off a circular holy area in front of the tomb.
The fourth tomb has still to be explored.
Take the country road SP2 ter from Fonni to reach the necropolis. Once you come to the Pratobello fork, turn right and continue on the SP2 towards Lanusei until km 7.2. You’ll see the tombs on the right.
